By Malama T-Pole 

I’ve been reflecting tonight on Joseph Parker’s fight against Anthony Joshua this morning.  He held the weight of his Samoan and New Zealand fans on his shoulders.  Easter Sunday church services, were pushed late at some Pacific Island churches to accommodate the fight. 

Even my dad, a retired church minister who hates to be late to anything, declared he will be arriving late to church because of the fight.  In Samoa, high schools and workplaces have been competing in a fun Parker cheer contest that have rallied the nation behind their hero.  But, I wondered, how do our community feel about Parker now that he has lost? 

Tonight, I was standing on my veranda watching the neighbourhood kids who gather to play on my front yard.  Every evening, this group of boys come and ride their bikes or play tag or hide and go seek with each other.  But tonight was different.…more

Keepin it Fresh down in Gisborne at East Coast Vibes! 

By Courtney Sina Meredith

In a rare interview on a Skype call from New York, award-winning writer and filmmaker Toa Fraser chats with Courtney Sina Meredith about the 20 year odyssey that’s taken him from a small car park in Auckland to the world stage.  Fraser, the creative alchemist behind films No. 2, Dean Spanley, The Dead Lands, Giselle, Six Days, The Free Man, River Queen, a myriad of television projects like ‘Penny Dreadful’ ‘Into the Badlands’, the latest Marvel series of ‘Daredevil’ the ‘IronFist’ and a new Australian series ‘Tidelands’.  Not to mention plays and he's just made history in 2017 by being the first director to have two films in the New Zealand International Film Festival.   

 Courtney SM: How is it that you have the most varied directing portfolio of any Kiwi director?  Is that a representation of you essentially?

Toa Fraser: I do feel it is a representation of me.…more

Chris Marco Alosio

Actor

Samoan

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Update since his interview with us below:

Chris stars in the newly released Netflix show 'Surviving Summer'  where he plays Manu Tetanui - coach of the Shorehaven surf team and older brother of Poppy and Prawnie.

He's also currently filming in Hawai'i with Uli Latukefu, Sisa Grey, Frankie Adams and others for Taika Waititi's 'Last Goal Wins'. 

Peep Chris speaking Samoan in one of the episodes of Surviving Summer below - 

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You may also recognise Chris from when he starred in the award winning video for SWIDT's "BUNGA" below 

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My name is Chris Marco Alosio and I'm an actor. I was born and raised in Wellington, NZ. I am of full Samoan descent. My Father is from Levi, Saleimoa and my Mother from Falefa, Anoama'a. 

How did you find yourself in the entertainment industry?

I've always loved being in the Arts but at the same time, have always been too afraid to admit it.…more

We were Keepin it Fresh down at the World School Sevens competition where teams from all over the world came to compete and see who would be crowned the World High School champions.

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Credits:

DIrector - Shimpal Lelisi 

Editor - Shimpal & James Leonard 

Camera Operator - Darryl Laumua 

Sound Operator - Will Voigt 

GORETTI CHADWICK 

Writer, Director & Actor 

Samoan 

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What do you love most, stage or screen acting and why? 
I love them all for various different reasons, but theatre is the genesis of my love of acting and I love it just that little bit more. With film and TV you can reshoot and edit out any mistakes. There is absolutely nowhere to hide with theatre... you are literally out there for the world to see, warts and all. 
 
Is this one of the first plays where you've been centre stage & the main character?
This is the first solo-ish show I've ever done. I say solo-ish as I'm on stage with a puppeteer. 

What's cool about it?
Ummm.... it's scary as all heck tbh.  I'm really testing myself to see how far I can go and thank goodness I added walking into my daily regime last year or else I'd have to stop every 5 minutes for an asthma pump.  I think the older I get the more I want to get out of doing the same old thing on stage.…more

New Zealand Champion Powerlifter

Samoan

Beauty & Brawn 

From competing for the crown on the catwalk of Miss Samoa to winning the gold on the Powerlifting stages of the world. Samoan champion Powerlifter, Barbra Auva’a, has flipped the switch on the abilities and strengths of your average dusky maiden pageant queen.

Beauty and brawn has taken her to global heights and she is a little known NZ Powerlifting multi-title winner, but hers is a story that comes with its own share of personal tragedy, trials and triumphs.

Still getting used to the Auckland cement opposed to the Samoan sand beneath her feet, Barbra began her journey on New Zealand soil at the age of 8. But it was at 16 that the ground was swept from under her when she was faced with the tragic loss of her mother who suddenly passed during the birth of her youngest sister.…more

Tofiga and Nua got amongst it with the supporters at the Mate Ma'a Tonga vs Toa Samoa game at the Rugby League World Cup last year.

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Credits:

Director - Shimpal Lelisi 

Camera Operator - Darry Laumua 

Sound Operator - Marcus Lawson 

Talent - Tofiga Fepulea'i & Nua Finau