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.

.…more

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

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

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

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 ....

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

Now that Pasifika goes for 2 days we thought we'd try out the food on Saturday and give you our recommendations on what to try today if you're going down for the first time or maybe you're just ready for Round 2.

We went around to each of the villages and checked out some of the unique dishes to their island or in this case Pasifika Village 

.

COOK ISLANDS 

Tiare Events - Rukau Pie & Cook Islands Poke 

"In the Cook Islands our parents feed us with the Rukau (taro leaves) - the rukau is boiled in the water and we put the coconut cream in it.  When we come to New Zealand we learn from other Master Chefs and put our own twist on it.  So we put the rukau into a pie.  

Then poke is the over ripe banana which is boiled and then add arrowroot starch to it with Coconut Cream and bake it but not in the oven, in our underground oven - they wrap it and bake it in the umu.…more

We all know Pacific Islanders love cooking & eating both taro and taro leaves but are you aware of all the amazing health benefits for the body?  Both taro's root and leaves have many health benefits because it is rich in nutrients.

You can check out all the health benefits of the root here and we've listed the health benefits of the taro leaf for you below ...

From its nutrient contents, the Top 10 taro leaves benefits are as follows:

1. Acts as an antioxidant to prevent cancer.

Taro leaves are rich in vitamin C which acts as an antioxidant. This helps prevent many diseases and fight against free radicals that cause cancer.

1. Boosts your immune system.

Vitamin C in 1 cup of taro leaves gives you at least 86% of the daily value that your body needs. You can boost your immune system effectively with eating taro leaves.

1. Keeps your eyes healthy.

Besides Vitamin C, taro leaves are rich in vitamin A. It reaches an amazing daily value of 123%.…more