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
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 - David Cordtz
David Cordtz a.k.a DC Cordtz
39 years old, Samoan / Kiwi
Vegan Calisthenics Athlete, Zuu Fitness Trainer
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
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
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
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
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is now the highest paid actor in the world!
Professional wrestler turned Hollywood blockbuster mainstay,Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, was officially declared the world’s highest paid actor according to the Forbes Celebrity 100.
Johnson, who has garnered quite a tally of top-grossing films in recent years, has brought in a total of $64.5m earnings in the 15 years since his silver screen debut in The Mummy Returns. He is ranked 19th on Forbes’ coveted list, on which he first appeared in 2012.
“Receiving news like this will always serve as my anchoring reminder to continue to work even harder,” the Central Intelligence actor said in his announcement on Instagram. “We not only want to ‘embrace the grind’, but take the grind to new levels.”
His drive, he described, is akin to a "wolf" scratching at the door.…more
Samoan NBA player James Johnson signs with the Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are finalizing a flurry of weekend moves to restock the roster in the stinging aftermath of franchise icon Dwyane Wade's free-agency departure to the Chicago Bulls.
The Heat on Sunday reached a deal to re-sign veteran forward Udonis Haslem, according to a league source, and announced the signings of shooting guard Wayne Ellington and forward James Johnson.
James Johnson is of African-American and Samoan decent, joining the likes of Steven Adams as the growing number of poly players in the NBA.
James Johnson was the starting power forward for the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest University from 2007 to 2009. He was drafted 16th overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. Since then Johnson has gained experience in playing with the Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies and back again with the Toronto Raptors before being signed by the Heat.
NBA isnt the only sport Johnson shines in, he holds a second-degree black belt and fought in his first mixed martial arts bout at aged 18.…more
First look at Frankie Adams as Bobbie Draper
The young actress/model was cast in Season 2 of Syfy's The Expanse earlier this year- a space-drama set in the future, based on the novels by James S. A. Corey.
Adams’ breakout role came at the age of 16 in the local NZ drama series Shortland Street, and her most recent credits include Australian TV series Wentworth Season 4, Tusi Tamasese's latest feature1000 Ropes and starred in her debut theatre show P***Y in 2016.
Here is the first look at Frankie Adams as Bobbie Draper in season 2 of The Expanse!
SUGGESTED LINKS: Frankie's World on Fresh