Destanee Aiava is only 16 years old and shaping up to be the first Samoan Tennis Super star! Here are a few things that she’s aced already…

• February 2017 as in last week… Destanee won her first ITF women's title of her career, snatching the $25,000 prize in Perth by defeating Viktoria Kuzmova in the final, 6–1 6–1. Aiava stole the show! She served well, facing only one break point, and she broke her rival 5 times from 14 chances, more than enough for a nice and easy triumph and another milestone in her already incredible career.…more

Tatryanna Utanga

Student/Advocate/Dancer

Cook Island 

Tatryanna is currently an Arts student at the University of Auckland.  She is of Cook Islands descent and is very proud of her culture. She comes from a very small family of 5 and insists that family is her number one priority.  

One of her greatest accomplishments was forming the all akavaine/fafafine/fakaleiti dance group the Diamonds of Paradise.  A group of young, passionate individuals coming together and showcasing their talent on an entertainment platform. Through performing and teaching her culture alongside her akavaine sisters, she discovered a new passion, to advocate for her Cook Islands and Pacific LGBTQI community.

These days she actively engages in advocacy for young people particularly those who identify as LGBTQI. Through dedication and hard work, she has enjoyed the many opportunities that has come along her way including holding the title of the reigning Miss Jewel Cook Islands 2016-2018.…more

Luti Richards

Creative: Artist, Writer, Media, Spoken-word Poet

Tokelauan, Samoan, German

Rachel Laulu

Yoga Instructor

Samoa

I grew up in Wellington in NZ, the youngest of 3 kids to a Samoan dad and Palagi mum - I identify as a TCK'er (Third culture kid) or afakasi rather than a kiwi or Samoan  - I kinda fit but don't, and have always felt a sense of non-belonging and questioning of culture and myself. It’s been totally beneficial on this amazing path... being the youngest of 3 kids was great. I got all the cuddles and love so I grew up quite tactile, and affectionate, that kinda love at home as a kid was a great foundation for my yogic path.

What were the greatest challenges for you growing up?

I was bullied a lot a school. Kids always weed out the weird ones and I was definitely weird! I felt bamboozled by the education system and hated classrooms. The idea of four walls and hours of 'yes sir, no sir' did me in by the time I was about 7 years old and that's when my school truancy began.…more

Taofia Pelesasa

Tokelauan/Samoan

Writer & Filmmaker 

I'm Taofia (Fia) Pelesasa – a Tokelauan-Samoan Kiwi boy born and raised in Rotorua, New Zealand but based out of Sydney, Australia. I got into the industry by way of acting but like most people in the industry have added extra strings to the bow and identify as a “creative”- with a particularly deep love for screen-writing and film-making.

Tell us why you wanted to make Promise of Piha?

The production of “The Promise of Piha” came out of a frustration me and my best friend Hanelle Harris had in coming out of Drama school and there being almost no work for us as young, brown & Pacific creatives. So, it didn't take long for the two of us to use that frustration in a way which was more empowering for us & we (like so many other artists of colour before us) took our careers & stories into our own hands & promised to start making our own work.…more

Are Raimbault 

Young Tahitian Filmmaker 

Tahitian / European

My name is Are Raimbault, I'm 26 years old and my ethnicity is half Tahitian half European but I was born and raised in Tahiti. I grew up between the districts of Punaauia, Mataiea and Teahupoo, in the middle of Polynesian culture.

What is your biggest driving passion?

I would say that my biggest driving passions are the ability and the beauty to create absolutely anything I want (including myself). I'm also driven by the desire to make people escape their daily lives with art, share messages with them and If I can inspire them it's even better. In terms of possibilities, I believe that the sky is the limit if you're willing to work for it.

What do you do?

I'm a director and artist. My main medias are film, photography, writing and sometimes illustration.

What excites you about Pūtahi and what does it offer the Pacific audience that they may not have seen before? 

I think that Pūtahi Kotahitanga is an exciting documentary for many reasons.…more

Written and directed by Tusi Tamasese, ‘One Thousand Ropes’ had its world premiere last week at the Berlin International Film Festival.

The second much awaited feature from the director of 'The Orator', 'One Thousand Ropes' is a haunting and emotional Samoan film about navigating relationships and redemption. Tamasese tells the story of a Samoan father attempting to redeem his violent past and rebuild a relationship with his daughter. The film stars Uelese Petaia as the main character and Frankie Adams as his daughter. 

In the same way that ‘The Orator’ (also written and directed by Tamasese) was specific in its cinematic aesthetic and pace, One Thousand Ropes is also extremely visually unique. It's difficult to assign one particular genre to this film, as it feels like a mixture of drama, horror and thriller. Tamasese's approach to storytelling tends not to conform to typical styles of filmmaking. The predominant use of Samoan language makes One Thousand Ropes an especially unique film.…more

Last night the Pasifika Film Fest opened in Auckland and our Pacific community came out to support the inaugral event which was held at the Queen Street Event Cinemas.

They were treated to performances by the Groovehouse Family & Fine Fatale and were welcomed Hawai'ian style into the theatre by Hawai'an dance group 'Aruna' before watching the opening night feature - "Kumu Hina", a film about a transgender Hawaiian teacher who inspires a girl to lead the school's male hula troupe. 

Pasifika Film Fest Founder and Director Kalo Fainu notes, “The festival exists as a platform for storytellers of Pacific & Maori heritage to share their films on the big screen and to have the opportunity to have their art seen by large audiences. The PFF initiative is a place for the community to celebrate & take part in the diverse cultures of Oceania”.

Passionate about the Pacific community, NRL Wellbeing and Education Manager and Festival Co-Director Nigel Vagana adds, “It has been an awesome journey the last few years. I am really excited to bring it to NZ especially my hometown, Auckland.…more

"Tofa My Feleni" tribute to Sione Lauaki by Nick Afoa & Lasalo Elia

Sione Lauaki passed away on February the 12th, 2017 in Auckland at the age of 35.

He had played 17 tests for the All Blacks and over 70 caps for the Waikato Chiefs over 7 seasons before moving to France to play for Clermont and Bayonne before his kidney problems were picked up.  Earlier in his career he had also played for the Pacific Islands test team & NPC for Auckland.

He had lived in Rarotonga with his wife Stephanie & their children for the last few years.

Enjoy this beautiful tribute by Nick & Lasalo and a highlights video below of his rugby career

#RIPWax 

Suggested Links:  

Tonga's 1st All Black

Manu Samoa tribute to terminally ill rugby legend Joost Van Der Westhuizen

In celebration of Auckland Pride Month, we're sharing Pasifika Pride stories. 

Amy Kainuku

Cook Islands

I first realised I had feelings for females when I was approx 23 years old.  One of my best friends (who happened to be a woman) hit on me.  I initially said no because I was scared (being gay/homosexual just wasn’t what you did…it was kind of taboo or “forbidden”).  Things did eventually progress to a romantic/sexual relationship.  I believe our relationship developed and evolved that way because she had been my friend for a number of years, and I felt safe/comfortable with her since we did have that previously established “ friendship trust/bond”.  I was terrified to tell anyone that I was romantically/sexually involved with a woman, and it became our little secret for about 2 years.  I was still dating men and attending church on a regular basis during this time in my life.