Sports

FIJI'S OLYMPIC HOPEFUL WINSTON HILL ON HIS ROAD TO RIO

22 year old Winston Hill is getting ready to represent Fiji at the Olympic Games in Rio in a couple of weeks.

The Fiji/Rotuma Island boxer has been fighting for the last 3 years and makes history as one of only 2 boxers in the Pacific Islands representing their countries in boxing at the Olympics this year.  It will also be the first time in 28 years that Fiji has had a boxer fight at the Olympics and only the 6th Fijian boxer ever to make the cut!

Winston has been training in Suva at Suva Boxing and Fitness Centre which his coach Napolean Taumoepeau owns and runs.  US born Taumoepeau is half Tongan & fought as an amateur for 10 years in the States before going professional and moved to Fiji with his wife (who is from Fiji) in 2011.  His last fight was in September but he's put his own career on hold to concentrate on helping Winston get to the Olympics.…more


Coco News

Samoan Super Chef Aims For The Sky

Business class passengers flying Air New Zealand are about to get a taste of Pacific fine dining, thanks to award-winning chef Michael Meredith, as they sail through the skies.

As the airline's newest culinary consultant, the Samoa-born chef known for his degustation menus and adventurous approach will design dishes for 'Business Premier' passengers - Air New Zealand's executive class.

This year alone Meredith won the Metro Restaurateur of the Year and best fine-dining restaurant. He now joins the airline's other consultant chef, Peter Gordon, an airline menu contributor for 20 years.

"It's a huge privilege to be given the chance to showcase my take on New Zealand cuisine to people from all over the world.

"There's a bit of pressure but I'm also really excited to see what we can do together," Meredith said.

Air New Zealand general manager customer experience Carrie Hurihanganui said Kiwi cuisine was renowned for its fresh, high quality and diverse produce - and its wine.

"Michael will bring a fresh perspective to the table.…more


Sports

Former wrestling star Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka sues WWE over neurological injuries

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc was sued on Monday by former Fijian WWE star Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and dozens of other retired male and female wrestlers seeking to hold it responsible for neurological injuries they claimed to suffer by participating in its bouts.

The complaint was filed on behalf of more than 50 plaintiffs who have performed with WWE or its predecessors since the 1970s, including Joseph "Road Warrior Animal" Laurinaitis and Paul "Mr. Wonderful" Orndorff.

It accused Stamford, Connecticut-based WWE and Chairman Vince McMahon of intentionally classifying wrestlers as "independent contractors" rather than employees, as a means to avoid liability under applicable worker protection laws.

"WWE placed corporate gain over its wrestlers' health, safety, and financial security, choosing to leave the plaintiffs severely injured and with no recourse to treat their damaged minds and bodies," the complaint said.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as improved medical monitoring.…more


Events

SAMOA SINNET FASHION SHOW

Reflections of a non-fashion Journalist 

I don’t do fashion – like never. My sisters do, but not me. Being naturally beautiful and stunning means I don’t need makeup….bahaha….but really, it’s for lack of beauty skills.  I like nice clothes and I do make an attempt occasionally, but when it comes to fashion, I would much rather go the casual route.  So when I pitched to cover the show for Coconet, I was not thinking straight, obviously I had been up all night with the 9 month old to put together logical thoughts.  Also, as a side note, I specialize in environmental journalism, so I must not have been thinking straight AT ALL!

Anyhow, my sister Omega who lives in the Middle East, travels the world for fun & knows the difference between a mascara and a lip pencil and her beautiful friend Liana who is Tongan from Sydney, wearing Guess heels and enough gold to sink a ship joined me “on assignment” that night.…more


Coco News

HALF OF ALL NEW ZEALAND PACIFIC TEENAGERS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY

At least half of New Zealands Pacific teenagers are living in poverty, a study has revealed.

Auckland University's research showed almost one in five secondary school students and nearly half of all Pacific students were struggling.

The study used data from the Youth 2012 study of 8500 students and was published in the International Journal for Equity in Health.

It pooled students by household poverty based on nine markers of deprivation:

* No car

* No phone

* No computer

* Parental worry about not having enough food

* More than two people sharing a bedroom

* No holidays with family

* Moving home more than twice a year

* Garages or living rooms used as bedrooms

* No parent at home with employment.

Students needed to report at least two markers before being classed as experiencing poverty.

Senior lecturer and co-author of the report Dr Terry Fleming said some results mirrored those found by the Ministry of Social Development and the Child Poverty Action Group.…more


Humans of the Islands

Humans Of The Islands - David Cordtz

David Cordtz a.k.a DC Cordtz

39 years old, Samoan / Kiwi

Vegan Calisthenics Athlete, Zuu Fitness Trainer

Basically I grew up in Otara, my Mum and Dad didn't really get on so Mum raised me and my brother and my sister. Both our fathers left us and it was pretty tough. Mum was working a couple of jobs just to put food on the table. The big bro Reubs (Reuben Wiki) was having to play Daddy when Mum wasn't home. So it was really tough but I think it's made us who we are today.
Brothers, David and Reuben
 
Tough times. We saw it all, the abuse - my father beating up my mum, seeing all the violence, the partying...you know as a kid you can't do nothing. You're just stuck amongst it. You get dragged to this party and that party. I don't know how we survived to be honest.…more

Sports

11-Year-old Rhyme Raging To The Top

At 11-years-old, not many can boast of a number 2 world ranking in anything - except Samoan-Tokelauan “Rhyme the Rage” Loto.

With 32 amateur fights under his belt, he’s one of the most experienced fighters in the New Zealand Black Gloves team who are off to compete in the 2016 World Youth Muaythai Championships, next month in Thailand.

Around this time last year he picked up the Silver Medal at the 2015 World Championships after a last minute gruelling shredding journey to qualify for the 42kg division.

“I’m going to go back and get Gold this time.” said Rhyme, quiet but confident.

A very calm response after his father (also his trainer) explained the intense shredding regime which Rhyme had to go through, after finding out his 45kg division class had been cancelled when he arrived in Thailand to compete last year.

With Rhyme weighing in at 46kg upon arrival, Ermehn Loto said they had no choice but to go up or down to the next divisions.…more


Sports

Mark Hunt asks for half of Brock Lesnar's purse or to be released from the UFC

Mark Hunt wants some answers ... or else.

Upon hearing the news that Brock Lesnar, who defeated Hunt via unanimous decision at UFC 200 last week, had been notified by USADA of a potential anti-doping violation, stemming from a failure of an out-of-competition drug test on June 28, Hunt asked UFC officials for half of Lesnar's purse or else he would like to be released from his contract effective immediately. Hunt said the UFC has not yet responded to his request.

"The cheaters get a slap on the wrist and walk off," Hunt told MMA Fighting. "What penalty or deterrent is there to make them think twice? Nothing. And the [Nevada Athletic Commission], why should these [expletive] get anything? They are not the ones who had to fight with Lesnar or lose [to him].…more


Entertainment

KJ Apa In ‘Altar Rock

 KJ Apa has landed a lead role in Altar Rock, an indie thriller from director Andrzej Bartkowiak. 

Kristin Alexandre and A. Wayne Carter wrote the script. The film is described as a millennial romantic thriller where family loyalty threatens the new love between an American girl and a young immigrant boy on the island of Nantucket.

Apa’s profile will get a boost when he stars as Archie in the CW’s midseason drama series Riverdale. The New Zealand native also has a role in A Dog’s Purpose, Lasse Hallstrom’s pic about one dog’s quest to discover his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes with multiple owners. Apa’s other credits include the NZ drama series The Cul-de-Sac and Kiwi nighttime soap Shortland Street.

India Eisley will star alongside KJ Apa in the indie thriller Altar Rock, the millennial romantic thriller from director Andrzej Bartkowiak. Eisley and Apa will play star-crossed lovers on the island of Nantucket whose romance is threatened by family loyalty. Sydney Park and Scott Adkins also have joined the film in unspecified leading roles.…more


Coco News

From Oakland To Auckland: Emory Douglas and The Polynesian Panthers

When the Oakland Black Panther Party recruited Emory Douglas as their Minister of Culture, one thing that no one knew, is how his image of the Black Panther would start movements across the world in the city of Auckland with a group of Polynesians.

Lana Lopesi is a Samoan artist, based out of Auckland, New Zealand. She's currently preparing for her show called 'Seize the Time' based on the Pacific New Zealand history of the 50s to the 80s. Working very closely with the Polynesian Panthers she is attempting to educate Pacific youth about the history as a way of empowerment and breaking the cycles of oppression Pacific people face.

Lana Lopesi's Posters From her upcoming show that will be wheatpasted in Oakland(photo by Louisa Afoa)

In her project guide she quotes a man from the place I call home, "We want education that teaches us the true history and our role in the present day society". Huey P.…more