ON THE RISE - JUSTIN TAFA
On the Rise MMA fighter Justin Tafa talks the fight game, starting off in Kickboxing before transitioning into MMA, what he loves about Avondale, his family of fighters (Team Tafa), fight goals and more.
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Directed & Edited by Danny Aumua
Camera & Sound Operator - Junior Meredith
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Justin's younger brother Junior has also just signed a multi fight deal with the UFC and was hoping to join Justin for his debut in Perth but unfortunately has had to pull out due to injury.
D7s 'DISCIPLINE GAMES' 2019
We're down at the D7 Discipline Performance 'Discipline Games' where teams and individuals compete to smash out a set in 7 minutes.
GOAL? To find the fittest D7 athlete!
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - ‘AHOTA’E’ILOA TOETU’U
‘AHOTA’E’ILOA TOETU’U
ARTIST & ART TEACHER
TONGAN
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I was born in Tonga, my Mother is from Fasi Moe Afi and my Father is from Falevai and Longolongo. My family moved to NZ when I was 3 years old and grew up in Otara and also spent some time living in Bondi Beach, Australia.
What were the pathways that led you to what you're doing now?
I loved imagery from a young age appreciating animation and cartoons and large picture books and comics. This led me to love drawing and naturally developed in high school and excelling in Art. After working in factories and various jobs such as the Bank I realised that I needed to follow something I was really passionate about and it was Art. I attended MSVA in Otara and graduated with Bachelor of Visual Arts and then a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching.…more
FETU SAMOA HAS LANDED
Samoa's Womens Rugby League team - Fetu Samoa - take on the Kiwi Ferns for the first time in 11 years this Saturday at Mt Smart Stadium. They'll be opening for the much anticipated rematch between the New Zealand Kiwis and Mate Ma'a Tonga.
Chocka Joe gives us a sneak peak into their first day of training. Peep the full squad below and meet the girls tomorrow at the Fan Day!
WHERE: Mangere Town Centre
WHEN: 3pm
DWAYNE THE ROCK JOHNSON HONOURED WITH THE MTV GENERATION AWARD
This evening Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson accepted the Generation Award at the 2019 MTV Movie & TV Awards, telling fans that “the most powerful thing that we can be is ourselves.”
"What you saw up here tonight that's who I am, I'm proudly half black and half Samoan and I wanted to bring those cultures here for the world to see. Yes, it's important to be your authentic self, I'm a walking example of that." - The Rock
The Generation Award celebrates beloved actors whose diverse contributions to both film and television have turned them into household names. Past recipients of the award include Chris Pratt, Will Smith, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Wahlberg, Sandra Bullock, Jamie Foxx, Johnny Depp, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey, and the Fast & Furious franchise.
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - KEZIA SALANOA
KEZIA SALANOA
FILM STUDENT
SAMOAN / SWISS / ITALIAN
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Talofa, Bonjour! My name is Kezia Salanoa, I’m 22 years old and I come from Samoa. I was born in Switzerland. My dad is full Samoan from Falefa and my mum is afatasi Swiss and Italian. I am the second of three girls and I am currently living in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. Most FAQ is do you wish you grew up in Europe? And honestly, no. Im so thankful to have been raised in the Samoan culture and environment, not neglecting my palagi side (which I love just as much), I just love that I have the fa’a Samoa with me anywhere I go. I guess I can say I have the best of both worlds.
My parents met in Honolulu, Hawaii through YWAM (Youth With a Mission) they were both in missions ministries helping with the Hawaiian community, the homeless and users. After a few months and mango picking, they fell in love.…more
WHERE THE WILD STOMPED IN - HAPPY PAPA'S DAY
It's Fathers Day in the USA today and Jason Momoa has shared this beautiful video.
He writes: -
For me, it started off so simple. A boy on a motorcycle for the first time tearing through the backyard. It was only a moment in time, but the ride changed something in me, it was the moment where the wild stomped in.
I saved an old rusty motor to build a bike one day, and it’s taken three decades to fulfill the dream. Over the years the dream evolved and now all I wanted was to build a bike with my children, to give them the same experience I had as a child, to give them the wind, and the freedom of the ride.
A broken motor inspired a dream, and taught me it’s better to share those moments with my babies, the moment where the wild stomped in.
What started out as a visit to Harley-Davidson to pay my respects turned into a new partnership. I wanted to honor their legacy, too ride is in my blood.…more
SAY MY NAME - RUGBY EDITION
#SayMyName
Watch, listen and learn on how to say some of your favourite rugby players names!
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Click here for #SayMyName - League Edition
ON THE RISE - PAFE MOMOISEA X BASKETBALL
On The Rise basketballer Pafe Momoisea talks about growing up in Manurewa, South Auckland, getting a scholarship to play basketball for a US university in South Carolina and his dream of being in the NBA.
Since he came back from the US he won a full scholarship to Lincoln University in Christchurch, signed to play with the Otago Nuggets and is currently the #1 ranked in NZ for 3x3 basketball.
Not bad for 'Just a kid from Manurewa' ;)
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Director - Crystal Vaega
Camera Operator - Fa'anati Mamea
Editor - Sapati Apa
VUNILAGI VOU OPENS IN OTAHUHU
South Auckland's newest art gallery, community & consultancy space Vunilagi Vou opened in Otahuhu a week and a half ago with a large group exhibition WWJD:2 featuring predominantly local, South Auckland based artists. We talked to Director & Artist-Curator Ema Tavola about the exhibition as well as her hopes & dreams for the gallery.
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I’m a Fijian-New Zealander with maternal heritage connecting me to England and Ireland, and paternally to the island of Dravuni, Kadavu in Fiji, and Suva, where I was born. I was brought up in England and Belgium, and finished secondary school in Wellington. I bounced around between Fiji and New Zealand until I started tertiary studies and settled in South Auckland; I’ve been here for almost 18 years now.
For the past 15 years I’ve worked as a curator, arts project manager, advisor and advocate for Pacific art and South Auckland. I started my career formally as Pacific Arts Coordinator for what was then Manukau City Council, and in that capacity was able to establish Fresh Gallery Ōtara, an exhibitions gallery in the Ōtara Town Centre.…more