University poet to perform for the Queen
Selina Tusitala Marsh is off to London to see the Queen.
She has been commissioned to write and perform a poem at the Commonwealth Day Observance in Westminster Abbey on Monday 14 March.
Selina, a poet and Senior Lecturer in English, was initially approached by the Commonwealth Education Trust last November, but in her modesty she thought they were asking her to find a poet for the event, so she started compiling a list of potential poets.
It was not until two weeks later when they asked her again that she realised that they were actually asking her to be the poet.
The Commonwealth Service is the largest multi-faith celebration in Britain and takes place annually on the second Monday in March at Westminster Abbey. The one-hour service includes a speech from the Queen and also features a mixture of testimonies, readings, songs and musical performances.
The service is based around annual theme. For 2016, the theme is ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth', inviting citizens to consider what it means to live in a diverse yet equitable, fair and tolerant international community.…more
Toloa Scholarship recipients announced
Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga awarded four young people $25,000 scholarships aimed at encouraging more Pacific people into studying science, technology, engineering and maths subjects.
The Toloa Scholarships, funded by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, were awarded at a ceremony at the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika.
“The aim of the Toloa Scholarships is to encourage Pacific students into studying science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects at tertiary level and so increase the number of Pacific people working in these areas,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.
“The calibre of applicants was high, and I was encouraged by the interest in these new scholarships. New Zealand’s Pacific population is one of the youngest and fastest-growing in the country. It is important that these young and bright people are given every opportunity to become the industry leaders and problem-solvers of the future,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.
The four Toloa Scholarships, worth $25,000 over three years each, are open to first year undergraduate and postgraduate Pacific students studying STEM-related papers. The recipients also receive mentoring and an industry internship.…more
ReQuest @ Super Rugby Opening Game #SuperBangBang
Check out the girls from ReQuest at the first Super Rugby Game between the Blues and the Highlanders at Eden Park!
Showing their Poly-Swag and their #SuperBangBang moves, the girls got the crowd up on their feet to help kick off the Super Rugby competition!
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Check out the girls from ReQuest in 'Moonchild'
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Three Wise Cousins Premiere in Samoa!
THREE WISE COUSINS - With the crew and cast at the big Samoa Movie Premiere!
Humans Of The Islands - Sione Pome'e
Sione Pome'e
31-years-old, Tongan
Design Engineer, Owner of Pomee Constructions Ltd, Band member of Three Houses Down
"We were brought up in those lucky times where there was no Xbox, no Play station. It was just a tennis ball, gutter board and that’s all. Those were the days when all the neighbours knew each other and after school, we already knew that everyone was gonna gather together at ‘this’ person’s house and play bullrush in the front lawn you know? that’s how I remember my upbringing. We’re one of the lucky ones. Kids don’t get brought up that way these days. Back then, you see what you don’t have and it was kind of a motivation for you to do something with your life."
Do you have a favourite childhood memory?
I have this memory I keep at the back of my head all the time, and it’s a memory of my dad coming home everyday from work and getting out of his overalls.…more
Pacific Fashion Stylist Sammy Salsa: the new age Polynesian man.
He's one of New Zealand's sought-after fashion and celebrity Stylists and is quickly making his mark worldwide.
31-year-old Sammy Salsa Style has now been appointed as the internationally renowned MiNDFOOD magazine's full time Fashion Editorial Stylist for Mindfood Style.
The popular Magazine has a vast following in both Australia and New Zealand and has been running for over 8 years.
It's a rare position for the Pacific stylist who is one of few Polynesians in the European dominated industry.
"It's a huge opportunity for me, especially being polynesian and male," said Sammy
"Our aesthetic and our way of thinking is quite different from the european kind of style."
The creative stylist, otherwise known as Sam Cowley Lupo, traces his Pacific roots back to Vaigaga, Manase in Savai'i, Samoa and Avetele in Niue.
In his own personal style, the former TV music host of Pacific Beat Street, has pioneered the look of the new age polynesian man and gained respect from some of the fashion industry's heavyweights as well as his worldwide loyal followers on social media.…more
Three Wise Cousins Pacific Premiere in Samoa!
Your favorite cousins are back in the homeland of Samoa for the Pacific Premiere in Apia, Samoa!
Lead actors Neil Amituana'i (Adam), Fesui Viliamu (Tavita) and Vito Vito (Mose) were joined by Producer/Director/Writer Stallone Vaioga-Ioasa at the Pacific release of Three Wise Cousins last night.
The road facing the cinema was closed off while VIP guests were given the red carpet treatment at a beautifully decorated Apollo Cinema.
The self-funded film recieved rave reviews since it's local release in NZ on January 28th. Now in it's 5th week and with screenings just starting in Australia, the film shows no signs of slowing down as it smashes NZ box offices - and is currently performing better than big blockbusters The Revenant, Star Wars, The Big Short andThe Hateful Eight.
The grassroots comedy centres around Adam who enlists the help of his cousins Tevita and Mose in Samoa to win the heart of Mary (Gloria Blake), the girl next door.…more
Raggamuffin - Artists Welcome
Check out some of the awesome pics of the Raggamuffin artists up in Auckland!
Images: Penina Joy Photography
Keven Mealamu @ James Cook High School
We join All Black Legend Keven Mealamu as he visits James Cook High School with Counties Manukau and a very special guest - Wiremu, the Webb Ellis Cup.
Troy Polamalu Induction to Polynesian Football Hall of Fame
Check out retired Footballer Troy Polamalu's recent induction speech into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame and his immense role his wife played on his success.
"Lastly, and certainly not least, my wife Theodora, she is the rock and foundation of our family. The tremendous sacrifice she has made to allow me to live my dream is the example of sacrificial love. She got trained in therapy just to work on me. She would read books on nutrition so that she could cook for me. [She] even wrote papers for me that would allow me to graduate."