Pacific Music Awards 2017
We're keepin it fresh at the 2017 Vodafone Pacific Music Awards in South Auckland.
The ESPN Body Issue - Malakai Fekitoa
Check out the full spread here...at own risk ;)
MISS HEILALA 2017
The Kingdom of Tonga held its annual Miss Heilala pageant this past week with the grand ball & crowning of this years Miss Heilala/Tonga.
Miss Heilala 2016, Laura Lauti completed her final duties this week with the girls and handed over the crown to the winner.
16 girls from Tonga, Australia, New Zealand & the USA were vying for the crown.
Congratulations to Miss Apraxus New Zealand - Opehilia Kava who has been crowned Miss Heilala this year.
She will now go on to represent Tonga at Miss Pacific Islands.
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BALL GOWN PHOTOS
LAURA's FINAL WALK
PLACINGS
MISS HEILALA 2017 - Ophelia Kitiliti Kava
Mangere Community kicking the kilo's with Town Centre Zumba
"That's why I love this group. They help me to walk again. I call this group - it's my family."
Every day for the past five years, about 100 people have showed up to a Zumba class at the Mangere town centre shopping mall for this fun daily dance jam - kicking up the fight against obesity and diabetes that so many of us are struggling with.
Story by Indira Moala for RNZ
Humans of the Islands - James Nokise
JAMES NOKISE
COMEDIAN/THEATRE MAKER & WRITER
SAMOAN/WELSH
The New Zealand Comedy Trust has proudly awarded the 2024 Topp Prize to James Nokise, a highly regarded comedian, playwright, columnist, podcaster, and social commentator.
Known for his fearless creativity and commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices, James perfectly embodies the irreverent and truthful ethos of the Topp Twins. The annual award, which honours individuals who push boundaries in comedy and inspire through their work, comes with a $15,000 cash grant to support his ongoing creative endeavours.
“James Nokise is a force in Aotearoa’s comedy scene,” said Lauren Whitney, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Comedy Trust. “His sharp political satire is more vital than ever in today’s challenging climate, offering audiences humour, insight, and reflection.
His contributions to the comedy industry go beyond his own achievements, as he continuously uplifts his peers and champions the arts community. From directing beloved comedians like Tofiga and James Roque to advocating for diversity and inclusion, James exemplifies what the Topp Prize is all about—creativity, courage, and a deep commitment to his community.…more
KING IN THE RING - 8 man Eliminator Series - Heavyweight!
Tonight the 'King in the Ring' 8 man eliminator series goes down at the ASB Stadium in Kohimarama and it's an all Polynesian main card!
With fighters of Maori, Cook Island, Samoan & Tongan descent these heavyweights are ready to prove who is the New Zealand King of the 100kg weight division.
Israel 'Style Bender' Adesanya took out the first King in the Ring 100kg Trans-Tasman event in 2015 and now the eliminator series returns to its own shores to find the top fighter of this weight division in New Zealand.
The event was founded and is run by New Zealand born Samoan, Jason Suttie (Founder of ETK - Elite Thai Kickboxing gym, 6x World Champion & K-1 New Zealand champion) and his wife Arna.
Eight contenders go head to head in a survival series of three-round elimination bouts, battling it out for the coveted King in the Ring crown and the $10,000 grand prize.…more
The Black Friars present "SOUTHSIDE RISE"
In the village of Moana’s ancestors, leaders are made.
They are warriors, armed with creativity and bravery; alofa and reciprocity.
They are born to serve their people.
As Moana starts University she is called to lead her family, but what does it mean to Lead in South Auckland?
Alofa. Bravery. Rugby. Fagogo. Reciprocity. Community. Tauolunga. Faikava. Education. Social Media. Family. Creativity.
What does leadership mean to you? And who are the leaders in your life?
Southside Rise brings together 60 young leaders from 10 South Auckland schools in an all-singing, all-dancing, full scale original musical production that answers these questions.
Watch the young leaders of South Auckland as they are called to lead.
They are called to serve.
They are called to Rise.
60 young people took to the stage at Mangere Arts Centre with a full theatre production produced by The Black Friars theatre group and supported by the Creative Thinking Project, Creative NZ, Teach First NZ & the Manukau Institute of Technology.…more
TOKI Rugby Skills workshop
We stopped in to check out the Rugby Skills workshop run by TOKI services in Wellington.
All Black Ardie Savea & Maori All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder were out there giving the kids the opportunity to meet, train & learn with them both.
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Director: Tuki Laumea
Camera Operators: Hayden Aull & Olly Coddington
Sound Operator: Craig Mullis
The All Blacks U20s - 3 Key PI Players
Meet 3 key players in the All Blacks Under 20s side who all have Pacific Island heritage.
The All Blacks U20s reclaimed the Junior World Championship title after a record win over England in the finals on Sunday (NZ Monday morning). Final score was NZ U20s 64 - Eng U20s 17
Asafo Aumua was massive in their win in the final against England with a hat-trick of tries, Ereatara Enari was outstanding at halfback and Dalton Papli'i scored the first try in the final.
Meet the boys here:
ASAFO AUMUA
EREATARA ENARI
DALTON PAPALI'I
Remember these names! We think you'll be hearing more of them in the future!
'Raise a Paddle' – A journey of Pacific Climate Warriors
‘Raise a Paddle’ is a short documentary that follows a small group of Pacific Climate Warriors as they embark on a journey to the Canadian tar sands. It tells the story of how an oil pipeline expansion all the way in Canada, can affect our small Island home here in beautiful Samoa. President Justin Trudeau’s recently approved pipelines will not only destroy sacred land for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, they will also contribute to the worsening effects of climate change in the Pacific.
Last week, Samoa was privileged to have a group of the Pacific Climate Warriors in town to present a community screening of ‘Raise a Paddle’ and shed light on this important issue. The event was open to the public and it encouraged ALL to attend and engage in discussion around climate change.
Amongst the visiting Warriors was Fenton Lutunatabua (350.org Pacific Campaigner) who gave us a little insight into ‘who they are’ and ‘what they do’. “The Pacific Climate Warriors are a network of climate activists that are active in 15 of the Pacific Island Nations.…more