Humans Of The Islands - Oriana Tui
Check out NZ-born Samoan business woman Oriana Tui - owner of Embrace Salon!
Three Wise Cousins Premiere
Check out some of the highlights from the world premiere of Three Wise Cousins!
The much anticipated release of self-funded samoan movie Three Wise Cousins premiered last night in Auckland at the Civic Centre to rave reviews, and more than a few belly laughs.
Producer and Director S.Q.S says that he is most proud that they stayed true to who they were, and both laughed and cried - in the dark.
"So many people cracked up laughing, so obviously the humor worked," says composer Andrew Faleatua.
While the general release date hasn't been set yet, S.Q.S assures that it'll reach cinemas across New Zealand and hopefully overseas.
Isolated Pacific islands get Christmas presents by parachute
Australian, Japanese and US air force planes deliver food and toys to remote atolls as part of the annual Operation Christmas Drop
Australian, Japanese and US air force planes are dropping food and toys on remote atolls in the Pacific as part of the US military’s longest-running humanitarian relief mission.
The packages will support 20,000 people across 56 islands in Micronesia, the Mariana Islands and Palau.
The US Air Force began the annual Operation Christmas Drop in 1952 when a Guam-based air crew noticed residents on the island of Kapingamarangi waving at them as they flew overhead. The crew gathered items they had on the plane, attached a parachute and dropped them to the islanders.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson welcomes baby girl!
Christmas has come early for action man Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson with his girlfriend giving birth to a baby girl.
The newborn is the Fast & Furious star's first child with his longtime partner, Lauren Hashian. Johnson has a 14-year-old daughter with ex-wife Dany Garcia.
Johnson, 43, was emotional as he witnessed the birth, according to E! News, and both mother and baby are said to be doing well.
Just days prior to the birth, Hashian opened up about impending motherhood in a sweet post on Instagram.
"So grateful and in awe of this time," she wrote.
"To experience creating a little life is just incredible. This beautiful cycle of life and womanhood beginning again. And like Big Daddy says - Couldn't be prouder of all the kickass women she's going to have around her! And Men of course...
"Let's just hope big daddy doesn't equal 20 pound baby!" she playfully added.
According to Radaronline, the happy parents have named their little girl Jasmine.
Source: NZ Herald, The Daily Mail
Humans Of The Islands - Namila Benson
Namila Benson
Broadcaster/Broadcast Trainer/Boss Mama at Toddler HQ
Papua New Guinea
I’m a proud Tolai woman, from the beautiful island of Rabaul, in the East New Britain Province of PNG. Mum is from a picturesque village called Matalau, which is right on the beach. Matalau is where my heart is, although I live in Melbourne, Australia. I feel like culturally, emotionally, mentally and socially I have my feet firmly planted in both places, yet the older I get, I definitely sway more towards the island way of doing things.
What are things you treasure most in your life?
Family – they sustain, enrich and beautify my world…Culture - for guiding, educating and grounding me…Community - for uplifting, supporting and inspiring me…the Islander sistahood, who fill my life with so much passion, love and laughter. The sistas and Aunties are like a tonic for my soul. #BlackAndBrownGirlMagic…
What would you consider your biggest achievement to date?
Immersing myself in a career I love (broadcast media) and having complete confidence in what I bring to the airwaves.…more
Cook Islands road toll fatalities points to 'gutless' MP's
They dot the island like brightly coloured fast moving road insects, the cheapest, effective and most fun way to get around the tiny country.
But while the island breeze catches in the head ei's of the mamas, there is a much darker picture to this carefree vision of paradise. Lack of helmets and driving drunk are turning these machines into instruments of death - and the numbers are soaring.
After the most recent fatality over the weekend locals are labelling the Cook Islands’ parliament members ‘gutless’ as they continue to procrastinate over changes for road safety legislation.
The tiny Island of Rarotonga has the second highest road traffic deaths per capita in the world and has had five deaths by motorcycle this year on its short 20 minute island road.…more
PNG to offer citizenship for West Papuan refugees
Papua New Guinea are preparing to give citizenship to refugees from West Papua who are fleeing their homeland.
The Department of Immigration states they are in the process of granting citizenship to West Papuan refugees.
Deputy Chief of PNG Migration and Refugees Affairs, Esther Gaegaming said about 3000 refugees from West Papua who are currently stayed at refugee camps in East Awin, Iowara, Kuinga of North Fly Province have been registered.
Gaegaming says that refugees are the most vulnerable people in the world, and most of whom have lived in PNG for over fifteen years. “This is the greatest humanitarian crisis of all time, and this displacement is happening at around the world,” she said.
UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency) considers the measures taken by the Papua New Guinea Government as positive act to integrate the West Papua refugees, and in order to protect the refugees, a clearer legal basis of this new migration is also in preparation.…more
Humans of the Islands - Manuia Fruean
Jonah Lomu Legacy Trust launched for his children
Following the sudden and tragic death of global rugby icon Jonah Lomu last month, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) has established the Jonah Lomu Legacy Trust to care for his two children.
NZRPA chief executive Rob Nichol said:
“With the cooperation of those assisting Jonah’s immediate family and using our own professional advisers we have a reasonable picture of the family’s ongoing financial situation following Jonah’s passing.
“While the probate of the estate will take some time, we know enough to realise that the family will not be able to rely on any financial proceeds or ongoing financial benefit.
“It appears that because of Jonah’s well-known generosity, he had taken on obligations, financial and otherwise, to support others at the expense of himself, Nadene and the children.…more
Miss World Fiji rocking Bulalicious fashions!
In case you've been wondering where the gorgeous Miss World Fiji Brittany Hazelmann gets her activewear from, check out Bulalicious!
Rocking the beautifully colourful line inspired by the natural landscapes of Fiji, the clothing line is donating a portion of every item purchased towards 'Beauty with a Purpose' - the fundraising initiative run by the Miss World Pageant.
Check out their website for more of their gorgeous range!
Images courtesy of Bulalicious.