Entertainment

Jason Momoa Reveals New Main Squeeze In Social Media Post

Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa had previously hinted that he is no longer on the market, but a new Instagram post has revealed his relationship with Puerto Rican actress Adria Arjona.

The actor posted pictures from a trip in Japan, where he can be seen embracing his new romantic partner, captioning the Instagram carousel, "Japan, you are a dream come true... sharing another amazing adventure with mi amor"

Momoa's new relationship comes two years after he and ex-wife Lisa Bonet announced their separation after more than 10 years together.

Despite their break-up, the exes have continued to co-parent their two kids: Lola, 16, and Nakoa-Wolf, 15.

#ReFresh But we can't forget when our very own Pani tried to make moves on the Aquaman actor😂

And when Uncle Sam questioned him about his lead role in the DC Studios movie


Sports

Jai Opetaia's Journey from Down Under to the Top of the World

Polynesians and fight fans around the world are celebrating the victory of Samoan-Australian Cruiserweight boxer Jai Opetaia after he defeated Mairis Briedis of Latvia for the vacant IBF World Cruiserweight Title!

He is also the Ring Magazine champion. 

When the two fought previously on the Gold Coast in 2022, Jai was a promising youngster and Briedis admittedly underestimated his skills and abilities. In an epic battle that went twelve rounds, Briedis fought with a broken nose and Jai had his jaw broken in two places.

Jai won the fight but had to go straight to hospital because as he said later, “My jaw wasn’t even attached to my skull.”

For ‘Opetaia v Briedis II’ Jai found it hard to find his rhythm and won the first eight rounds on most people’s score cards but failed to knock down the Latvian. Neither fighter ever really looked in danger of knocking the other out or down.…more


Pacific Blog

Four Pasifika Writers Among 'Script To Screen's South Shorts Mentorship Programme

Script to Screen welcomes eight new filmmakers who have been selected for the tenth South Shorts Mentorship Programme

Over the next six months, the participants will embark on an incredible journey of development led by acclaimed screenwriter and director Briar Grace-Smith (Rūrangi, Cousins, Waru).  

During this time, the participants will take part in five group workshops that will include script read-throughs, group discussions, writing exercises, and insightful sessions with guest filmmakers. By the end of the Programme, the filmmakers will have produced a polished script.  

Four of the eight selected filmmakers are of Pasifika descent, get to know them here!

Claire Patolo

Claire Patolo (Lauli’i, Faleapuna, Safune) is of Samoan descent. She is an emerging filmmaker from Tāmaki Makaurau. She has mostly worked in the production team on music videos and short films and is currently working on finishing her first short film script. She has a Master’s degree in Communications from Auckland University of Technology and is currently completing her PhD.

Feenuu Lefono

Feenuu Lefono is an emerging Samoan writer and filmmaker from Otara, South Auckland.…more


Events

Pati AF Talks 'Ka'a: The Concert Experience'

Samoan recording artist Pati AF sits down with us to talk about her upcoming work 'Ka'a: The Concert Experience' happening this weekend, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th May 2024🎤🔥

She gives us the run down on the inspiration behind the concert and how it came to be about, don't miss out! Grab your tickets here 🔗

-

Filmed and Edited by Destiny Momoiseā


Entertainment

NZ Music Month: Pasifika Artists Quick-Fire Q&A

But did ya know...? Get to know our young artists SPDRTWNBBY, Junior Soqeta and Ruby Coley as they round off some of our rapid fire questions about their journey and tastes in music 🎶🌺

Credits
Director: Brianna Fruean
Camera: Jason Crane
Sound: David Green
Editor: Sefa Taouma
Talent: Spdrtwnbby, Ruby Coley, Junior Soqeta


Sports

New Bout Of Dreams For Niue boxer After Paris Knockout

By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific

A Niuean boxer based in Aotearoa New Zealand is heading to Russia to compete in the 2024 World Friendship Games, seen as the potential rival to the Paris Olympics.

Commonwealth bronze and Pacific Games gold medalist, Duken Holo Tutakitoa-Williams, has set his sights on Russia instead of the Olympics, after finding out Niue could not compete at the Summer Olympics.

Niue is self-governing in free association with New Zealand, and Tutakitoa-Williams said like many other smaller nations, it does not have a recognised National Olympic Committee.

Niue Island Sports and Commonwealth Games Association (NISCGA) is an associate member of the Oceania National Olympic Committees.

After winning a bronze medal at the 2022 Birmingham Games, the Niue team was aiming for gold in Paris 2024.

The team started their training camp for the Pacific Games in hope they would be able to qualify for the Olympics.

Five weeks in, Niue Sport held a meeting and told them Niue can't even qualify for the Olympics.…more


Humans of the Islands

A Coco Tribute to Yvonne Maea-Brown

All our Alofa goes out to the family of our beloved Leatau’a Lesa Yvonne Maea Brown who passed away this week.

Aunty Yvonne filled all our lives with love, learnings and laughter and she was our star of the Coconet screen. Manuia Lou Malaga Yvonne, your legacy lives on.


Entertainment

Pasifika Women in Entertainment Take Center Stage

The Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (PEAK) proudly presented PEAK Conversations - a celebration of Pasifika filmmaking, entertainment, and community, sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios.

A talanoa with panelists, celebrating the breakthroughs of Pasifika women and reflecting on issues specific to their journeys in the entertainment industry.

The panelists included Auli’i Cravalho (“Moana” and “Mean Girls” actress), Sasha Colby (Winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”), and Naomi Scott (Founder of Great Scott Productions) with moderator Dana Ledoux Miller (“Moana 2” and “Thai Cave Rescue” Screenwriter).

“Last night made me feel like I’m truly making my mark here in Hollywood. It’s interesting for me to reflect on the fact that a year ago at this event, I knew less people than I could count on one hand..So much affirmation and love was poured into me by how I feel I naturally show up in the world and it made me feel so seen.…more


Entertainment

NZ MUSIC MONTH 2024 - AMPLIFYING AOTEAROA MUSIC

Today marks the start of TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA 2024 (NZ Music Month), with AMPLIFYING AOTEAROA | PAOROTIA AOTEAROA the key theme across this year’s event. The month of May will shine a light on those who are the heartbeat of our nation’s music scene, celebrating everyone who helps amplify music from Aotearoa.

This year’s TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA will look a little different, with a fresh sub-theme each week. Week one will see the amplification of people who make lives better through music, followed by week two, amplifying schools’ through education. Week three will amplify artists on the world stage, before week four, with innovation and new ways of doing things amplified. The month will close with week five, amplifying community and our local and independent champions.

There is something for everyone and many events and activities right across Aotearoa.…more


Sports

Pasifika Talent Picked Up At 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft was held over the past weekend, where the 32 teams of the National Football League took a total of 257 picks from a pool of prospects, with 13 athletes of Pasifika descent picked! Get to know them and where they're headed for the 2024 season here! 🌺🏈

Taliese Fuaga

14th Pick, New Orleans Saints

Laiatu Latu

15th Pick, Indianapolis Colts

Troy Fautanu

20th Pick, Pittsburgh Steelers

Kingsley Suamataia

63rd Pick, Kansas City Chiefs

Jonah Elliss

76th Pick, Denver Broncos

Dominick Puni

86th Pick, San Francisco 49ers

Marist Liufau

87th Pick, Dallas Cowboys

Giovanni Manu

126th Pick, Detroit Lions

Sione Vaki

132nd Pick, Detroit Lions

Sataoa Laumea

179th Pick, Seatlle Seahawks

Darius Muasau

183rd Pick, New York Giants

Jonah Laulu

234th Pick, Indianapolis Colts

Devaughn Vele

235th Pick, Denver Broncos