A whole weekend dedicated to Pasifika film saw some of the OGs of our fledgling industry engage with 10 young scriptwriters to help them hone their craft.

"Just the luxury of being able to spend time with these guys that we've always looked up to is so inspiring for me..These guys are our giants that we stand on.." said MIT student Gabriel Faatau'uu.

From Samoan astronauts to old skool legends, drama and urban Pacific realities - the 10 scripts chosen for the writing lab saw many exciting new scenarios being presented for development.

Sima Urale who was described as our 'Jane Campion' talked about the huge difference in film making today and the many new pathways availble for creative ideas.

One of these includes The Coconet TV as a platform for films to be played out online.

Over two days young writers had intensive script time with experienced filmmakers who talked about the many trials and tribulations of making their own work.

One common issue with writers, was being typecast as 'Pacific filmmakers' expected to tell certain types of stories.…more

Two young Tongan swimmers, Finau ‘Ohuafi (15) and Noelani Day (13) brought home a total of 16 medals between them, including 9 Gold and 7 Silver, after competing in the SC Central Region Age Group Invitational 2016 in Suva, Fiji.

The local swimmers from Malolo Swim Club represented Tonga in 19 events over the two-day competition last week against swimmers from Fiji and Samoa at the Damador Aquatics Center.

Team Tonga organizer, Vila Day said they are very happy with the swimmers.

“Finau and Noelani both did exceptionally well, and we were very happy with their performance, especially given that they have not been to a pool competition in over two years - they have been doing mostly open water“

"Leading up to the comp, we were lucky to have Scenic hotel allow them to use their pool, but only from 6am to 7am, before guests were up. We made the most of this kind offer and had training there about 5 mornings a week.…more

"The Super Samoan" has been in the Octagon with three fighters who have failed drug tests and he's had enough. He's demanding a change, wants provisions made in his contract to deter other fighters from cheating, and is willing to fight UFC in court.

Mark Hunt has rained down fire and brimstone at Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) ever since Brock Lesnar was flagged by United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) following their fight at UFC 200 this past July, and he has yet to let up on his harsh criticism of the fight promotion.

The No.7-ranked UFC heavyweight has let it rip in the last few months, repeatedly bashing the promotion several times publicly and insisting they do more to rid their roster of cheating fighters after learning Lesnar tested positive for hydroxy-clomiphene, an anti-estrogen agent, in both in and out-of-competition drug tests issued by USADA for UFC 200. To use a driving analogy, he's far beyond honking the horn and asking someone to move.…more

Fashion, Style, Creativity & Polyswag in full effect on this Pacific Runway ....

Credit:  Camera & Edit Danny Aumua 

Suggested Links:  

Pacific Fusion Fashion Show 

Fresh hosted by Krit & Diamond Langi 

In the Pacific we do many things well - famously we navigate great oceans, turn out some pretty alright sports people, make good pagipopos and as it turns out some really great artists. Like our domination in the sports and music arenas, arts is one place where Pacific people win - it's where we trump it in coloring up the Kiwi landscape with our brown awesomeness and unique perspective.

We are the jewel in the crown in fact for organisations like CNZ where a 2011 survey cited the Pacific art forms in NZ as being some of the most popularly attended in the country. So we love it when our cream of the crop are honoured every year by Creative NZ, who celebrate the best of Pacific arts and awards five artists accolades and dosh to acknowledge their talents.

This year two actors scoop the pools in the senior artist award - the OG's of Pacific theatre and acting Oscar Kightley and David Fane.…more

Coco congrats to Billie Paea Dziah PT for taking out the Lightweight Bodybuilding Class and then the Overall Musclemania Australia Title for 2016.

Billie who is of Niuean descent and grew up in New Zealand is now based in Canberra as a Personal Trainer.  He was involved with a lot of sports in his early years from touch rugby, rugby and athletics and represented Niue at 3 Commonwealth Games and Pacific Games as a 100m sprinter.

His journey into the world of Bodybuilding was inspired by his Dad who also had a great physique and owned a gym in the 1980’s. Billie admired the likes of Arnold and Franco Columbo.

Billie presented a World-Class Physique topped with one of his truly epic crowd stopping posing routines.

He now has his eyes on Vegas for his debut in the Musclemania World Pro Ranks.

Watch out Vegas, this man is a class act, with the body, the moves and the style to top it off.…more

Today we see the release of Luck/Time, Anna Coddington’s third album.

The album is the culmination of four years of diligent songwriting and was largely made at Anna’s own studio The Attic (literally her home’s attic).

Thematically the album speaks to many different aspects faced by everyone over the course of our lives – love, loss, hope, despair, and even having a bit of Luck over a lot of Time.

Showcasing all the strengths and experiences acquired over her career, Luck/Time features pop sounds with tinges of indie, disco, and yacht rock thrown in. Going against the current trend of beats-heavy production, Anna stands deliberately with her guitar in hand. With strings peppered throughout, the core of the album is all about feelings – Anna expressing her own, and the listener feeling theirs.

The album features previously released singles ‘Bird In Hand’ and ‘Make You Mine’, both of which were finalists for the APRA Silver Scroll Award. Also featured are new and forthcoming singles ‘Apples’ (vid featured above) and ‘Without A Fight’ (released on October 14).…more