Auckland Museum hosted Fijian leaders, performers and community members this past weekend to launch the Museum’s Fijian collection project to coincide with Fijian language week. 

The Fijian community was welcomed to Auckland Museum on Saturday 1 October to celebrate the launch of a unique project to focus research into the Museum’s internationally recognised Fijian collection.

The project is part of The Pacific Collection Access Project, which is a three year programme to open up access to Pacific treasures, creating stronger connections with Auckland’s Pacific communities.

As part of the launch, Fijian leaders gifted the project an official Fijian name: ‘Nai Yau Vakaviti – Na Ka Marequiti’ (this means ‘Our Fijian Treasures: That are treasured’).

The Fijian collection is the second Pacific island nation to receive focus, following the successful programme of work that has begun for the Cook Islands collection.

Museum staff will now focus on engaging with local Fijian communities and will invite cultural knowledge holders to visit the Museum to share their insights and wisdom.…more

ICYMI Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson launched his YouTube channel in July this year as a way to connect with fans who are hungry for more digital Rock. 

His web content includes Poke Rock, Rock the Promo as well as personal messages and video responses from The Rock.

His latest is a new feature they're going to do every once in a while called 'The Rock Reacts' which he launched yesterday - The Rock Reacts to His First WWE Match: 20 YEARS OF THE ROCK.

Approaching the 20th Anniversary of his first WWE wrestling match, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is reflecting on the day his life changed forever: November 17, 1996. He made his debut at Madison Square Garden as “Rocky Maivia” at WWE’s Survivor Series in a matchup against Crush and Goldust.…more

The NRL will pay tribute to 26 retiring players during a star-studded build-up to the Grand Final between Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks at ANZ Stadium in Sydney tonight.

Celebrations for the retirees started on Thursday at the NRL Grand Final lunch with the Retiring Players 2016 Official Class tribute – bronzed boot presentation.  Yesterdays events included the Wellbeing & Education “Play On!” transition workshop & Retired Players function as well as the NRL Grand Final Clubhouse Race Day. 

Tonight the NRL will honour the Class of 2016 retiring players by presenting the players on the field prior to the Grand Final kick off to honour the players and their achievements before they're invited to take a lap of honour around the Stadium.…more

JOSEPH PARKER VS ALEXANDER DIMITRENKO 

Heavyweight boxing champion Joseph Parker heads into what could be his hardest fight yet.  Parker who is used to being the talller fighter against his opponents gives away reach, height and weight to Dimitrenko in his fight tonight.

He puts his WBO Oriental Belt on the line and also risks losing his mandatory position for the coveted IBF belt held by Anthony Joshua and damaging his No 1 ranking in the WBO IF he loses.

Joseph said he wasn't focused on this pressure at all and feels relaxed going into the ring.  

"I feel quite relaxed and the reason I say I'm always relaxed is because I train hard. If you train hard and feel good, you are going to perform good.  This is the time to enjoy.…more

Jason Taumalolo who earlier this year won the Rugby League Players Association's Players' Champion can also add 'Player of the Year' at the Dally M Awards to his list of achievements.

Jason shares the Player of the Year award with Melbourne Storms Cooper Cronk and also took out Lock of the Year.  This is the first time a player of Tongan descent has won the Player of the Year award and only the second time a player of Pacific Island heritage has won.  Previously Jarryd Hayne had picked up the award in 2009 and 2014.

Other Pacific Islanders to win at the Dally M Awards this year are:

Anthony Milford (Samoan)  - Peter Frilingos Memorial Award 

Suliasi Vunivalu (Fijian)       - Top Tryscorer 

Joseph Leilua (Samoan)     - Best Centre 

Jesse Bromwich (Maori)     - Best Prop 

Suggested Links:

Jarryd Hayne - My World

The world of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck  

OLIVE ASI 

Actress currently studying at the New York Film Academy Australia campus 

Samoan 

Tell us a bit about your background

I was born in New Zealand and grew up in Mangere East.  Our family moved to Brisbane and we lived in Sandgate and Bracken Ridge suburbs.  I went to Sandgate State Primary School and Sandgate District High School.  In 2003 we moved back to NZ and lived in different areas of South Auckland until we settled in Otara/East Tamaki.

Young Olive wearing the white t.shirt seated in front

Have you always been passionate about Performing Arts?

I was always told stories by family members that from a young age I was always entertaining everyone and any time someone put on the radio or played music clips I was always the first one up ready to dance and sing the song and act like I knew the lyrics to all their favourite artists.…more

The Hipstamatix, Estere, Tyra and the Tornadoes and the Pacific Queen of Soul herself - Aaradhna - got up with the get down last night for a night of Soul music in NZs first 'Super Soul Revue'

Aaradhna both headlined and curated the night which featured the superstar local line-up of talented soul artists at Aucklands 'Powerstation'

Highlights of the night below ...

THE HIPSTAMATIX 

More than a Soul covers band, The Hipstamatix sound and style is based on 60's and 70's Motown acts such as Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross and turn iconic songs like TLC's "Waterfalls" and Beyonce's "Naughty Girl" into soulful, funk anthems.  The 10 piece band are about to release originals of their own and will be touring this summer.…more

JAHRA 'RAGER' WASASALA 

Contemporary Dancer, Poet and Choreographer 

FIJI 

Four words that describe you:

Vessel – “I think my name is a great word to encompass who I am, in terms of being a messenger for things that are beyond my physical capacity. ‘Vessel’ is very true to how I perceive my purpose, to be an open armed space for other things to work through me.”

Woman – “Before anything in this world, I would consider myself to be woman first. That’s something that I feel so privileged and blessed to be. I wouldn’t want to be any other way. I think there is so much power that is instinctive to being a woman.”

Invested (heavily) –  “I’m almost to the point of obsession with the things I care about. That includes art, my outside interests, my family, anything like that, I am so invested. I will try to unpack everything, that includes myself and my journey.…more

NRL PLAYERS SAY MY NAME 

Krit is at the Rugby League Players Association Awards and catches up with some of our island boys.

They give us a quick lesson on how their names should be pronounced! 

We also found this oldie but goodie with some of the OG Poly boys in the Rabbitohs giving lessons on how to pronounce their names - 

Suggested Links:

The Nitty Kritty:  Iron Squad

The Nitty Kritty:  Lance Savali 

Rieko Ioane has fancy footwork on the field and fancy footwear off it. The young Blues barnstormer takes us into his home, to check out his shoe collection.

Gimme Yo Shoes Bro!

Credits:

Director/Editor - Shimpal Lelisi 

Sound - Pesani Vi 

Cameraman - Jacob Farani-Whaanga