Humans of the Islands - Sam Ratumaitavuki
Sam Ratumaitavuki
Co-founder of two Mobile Game Publishing Companies & Creator of Fortafy Facebook
Fijian
I'm known by different people for different things but at the moment I run one of the most active Facebook pages in the world Fortafy which has nearly 13m likes. Along with being a co founder of a two mobile games publishing companies Fortafy Games which published the biggest indie game of 2015 Color switch which has over 150m downloads and also Perfect Tap Games in which we just released a mobile game called "Chicken Scream" which also went number 1 all around the world.…more
Where are our Pasifika/Indigenous models at?
TAMED NATIVES AND WHITEWASHED BEAUTY – WHERE ARE OUR BROWN SKINNED BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT IN THE MODELLING WORLD?
The lack of Pasifika and Indigenous faces in fashion and media is nothing new, and though we are slowly seeing a shift in representation and diversity, we're still a long way from where we need to be.
Looking back, some of the first Pasifika faces to surface in the New Zealand modelling scene include Rosanna Raymond, Sarah Leo, Monique Rana, Stan Wolfgramm and Marama Nicholas (to mention a few). During the 80's and 90's these models brought a fresh energy to a scene that was European dominant in representation. A handful of New Zealand brands and platforms like Workshop and Planet Magazine took the lead in presenting and celebrating Pasifika faces to their audiences.
Now a leader and innovator within the contemporary Pacific art scene, Rosanna Raymond spoke to us about her time as a model in the 80’s.…more
WORLD HEALTH DAY - Focus on Depression
The World Health organisation has been leading a one year global campaign focusing on depression & are again highlighting this issue today on World Health Day (07 April 2017)
A couple of years ago, Samoan musician and artist Johnny Angel appeared in the Like Mine campaign (video above) which was aimed at reducing the stigma and discrimination faced by people with experience of mental illness.
He also shares his journey with Mike King – the heartbreaks and triumphs of living with mental health issues – and overcoming them ....
Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide and a lack of support for peope with mental disorders, coupled with a fear of stigma, prevent many from accessing the treatment they need to live healthy, productive lives.
Our friends at Le Va Pasika have some great resources for our Pacific Island communities around recognising the signs of depression, causes of depression, how to get help, and tips on getting well and keeping well.
Click here to access the Pacific Island resources for Depression.
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Humans of The Islands - Sisa Grey
Sisavai'i Grey Uiagalelei
Actress
Samoan
I am an actor who dabbles in fashion designing, singing, writing, and a few other things. Recently I wanted to go into MMA and then my husband gives me 'the look' so I go back to acting like I am a MMA fighter...in my head.
When/How did you get into acting?
My father is a musician so I grew up listening to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Elvis and other genres of music that a typical kid in Samoa wouldn't really listen to. We would go to the video store and rent nothing but musicals that some of these musicians were in. Watching those actors create magic on the screen started a fire in my heart that never went away. I guess you could say that my dad's love for music brought me to my love for acting.
Although my love for acting started at a young age, I didn't have the courage to pursue it till after being a mom.…more
Humans of The Islands - Jennifer Amosa
Jennifer Amosa
Curve Model
Samoan
I'm Jennifer Amosa, I work as a receptionist and pull double time as a single parent. In between all that I represent a lot of plus size women as a curve model here in Melbourne.
When/How did you realise you wanted to pursue modelling?
I was lucky to attend an audition for a fashion show where they were looking for plus size women to model in their runway show. That was four years ago and I've been lucky to keep going and be involved with photo shoots and fashion shows. Also expanding my knowledge in fashion and meeting other curve models has been a great journey.
What has it been like being the first Polynesian curve model in Melbourne?
I feel like I'm holding a trophy and saying a speech when asked this question haha but on a serious note, I love it!!! Representing diversity is what I like, especially when I step out onto the runway or when I see the final pics from a photo-shoot.…more
Roman Reigns just won the Main Event at Wrestlemania 33!
Coco congrats to Samoan wrestler Leati Joseph Anoa'i aka Roman Reigns who just took out the Main Event at Wrestlemania 33 against legendary wrestler 'The Undertaker'
We had a theory over on our Coconet Twitter page that this would be The Undertakers retirement match and Roman Reigns would be the one to retire him!
A couple of interesting facts you may not have known!
The Undertakers legendary streak started against another Pacific Island wrestling icon Jimmy "Supa Fly" Snuka when he beat Jimmy at Wrestlemania 7!
We thought it would be kind of fitting if The Undertaker was to retire after being beaten by another wrestler of Pacific Island descent - Roman Reigns!
And I guess the WWE thought the same thing!
Yuuuup we'd be smiling too Roman!
Check out the amazing Wrestling Dynasty Roman comes from ...…more
PASIFIKA - 25 Yr Anniversary
The iconic Pasifika Festival celebrated its 25th birthday last week.
With free entry, more than 220 performance groups and 60,000 visitors, Western Springs Park was transformed into 11 villages representing the different Pacific Islands and included a 25 yr anniversary showcase.
Here are some of the beautiful Pasifika faces we came across at the festival ....
Humans of The Islands - Sionlelei (Sina) Mario
Sionlelei (Sina) Mario
Assistant Programmes Officer, Commonwealth Secretariat
Rotuma, Fiji Islands
Tell us a bit about yourself - What you do / Where you're from / Your Island heritage
I hail from the beautiful islands of Fiji and I am of Rotuman descent. My parents are from the villages of Juju and Noa’tau in Rotuma, where my mother was born and raised. My biological father is Rotuman with Tavueni links and so I have a mixture of Fiji Rotuman culture and tradition. I am the second generation in Fiji, following the shift from my grandparents to seek a brighter future for the generations ahead. I was born and raised in Suva and so have always called Fiji my home.
In terms of culture, I identify myself with being a modern Fiji Rotuman and this has in turn shaped my social persona and outlook on life and those around me.…more
Adele invites Kapa Haka group on stage at Auckland show
REVIEW: ONE THOUSAND ROPES
One Thousand Ropes brings a beautiful Samoan sensibility to the big screen for the second time.
In the same way that the Orator delved into the interior of Samoa - rainforests, taro leaves and torments, One Thousand ropes looks to the interior minds of its characters - again focusing on the most vulnerable in Samoan societies - the young women.
It's a quiet meditative film that has some deep issues at its heart which are bought out in unexpected ways - the dynamic of four bakery workers, the truly terrifying aiku spirit, and the intimate skill and trust in a fofo.
There are so many nuances that speak to a Pasifika audience through the skill of the language and the symbolism of the design. But mostly because it's funny, in that way that only Samoan language and behaviors can sometimes be.
It's a movie that will give you the feels the funnies and the frights all in one.…more