Aaradhna at The Apollo Music Café (Apollo Theatre)
Aaradhna (Indian/Samoan) makes History, being the first Polynesian solo artist to headline at the Apollo Music Café (Apollo Theatre) in Harlem, New York (U.S.A).
Girlfriend made her musical debut in 2004 as a featured singer on the single Getting Stronger (with Adeaze), which peaked at number one on the NZ Singles Chart. Aaradhna's latest album 'Treble & Reverb' received several nominations at the 2013 New Zealand Music Awards and won the award for 'Album of the Year'.
As the first lady of 'Dawn Raid', Aaradhna is now set to make history as she will be the first Poly solo artist to represent at the Apollo Music Café.…more
Niuean Reverend Tom Etuata receives New Year's Honour
Reverend Tom Etuata, who has been involved with Pacific communities in Wellington since 1968, has received the Queen's Service Medal in the 2015 New Year's honours list.
"If we are not doing anything about our culture and our language the language can be extinct if we are not careful. You know, my generation will pass on and the new generation will here in New Zealand would have difficulty in speaking their mother tongue."
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Learn more about the 'Rock' island - Niue
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson singing Christmas Carols
Happy Holidays Coconets,
Kelly and Michael challenge Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to a Christmas Karaoke contest.
Sol3 Mio Proposal
Check out one third of the Sol3 Mio boys Pene and his proposal to his girlfriend (now fiance) Amina at their Christmas in the Vines concert last week!
Raggamuffin 2014
Check out a few snaps at the 2014 Raggmuffin featuring a line-up of local & international artists
Aaradhna
Etana The Strong One
Malcolm Lakatani
Che Fu
Lapi Mariner
Sammy J
P-Money
Cypress Hill
Fiji
Ice Cube
UB40
Snaps by: Penina Joy
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Make sure to check out more musicians in Poly Songbook
Pacific Vaka Voyagers land in Aotearoa - Marumaru Atua
Check out the highlights from the historical landing of the Pacific vaka in Okahu Bay on Sunday 7th December!
Following the traditional navigating systems of our ancestors, six voyaging waka from around the Pacific made their way onto Auckland's Ōkahu Bay in a celebration of Pacific unity and environmental issues. A day full of yummy food and sharing our Pacific heritage with family and friends, these vaka warriors deserve a well-earned rest after spending 3 months on the sea!
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Check out more on our vaka voyaging heritage!
See more of the history of our ancestors and their voyaging feats on our interactive timeline!
Pasefika Aotearoa Cup
Polynesian women of all ages were out in force last weekend for the inaugural Pasifika Aotearoa Rugby 7s cup showing the guys a thing or two with their rugby skills.
The tournament held 66 games throughout the day with Auckland representative teams for Samoa, Tonga, Fiji & the Cook Islands amongst the 27 teams competing.
A few well known Black Ferns were also playing and it was great to see them out supporting Grass Roots rugby in teams where some of the girls were playing for the first time.
Vania Wolfgramm (Womens Rugby Development officer) said they hoped the tournament would provide more playing opportunities for females to play rugby & to build stronger relationships within the Pacific & Maori communities.
Winners of the Pasifika Aotearoa Cup 7s:
Tight 5 – Dubs Fast Crew (Waikato)
Under 15 – Auckland Tonga
Under 19 – Waiariki Bay of Plenty
Open Womens – Tainui Waka
Photo Cred: Penina Joy Photography
Red Carpet Interviews @ VNZMA
Celebritiy Stylist Sammy Salsa has a chat to some of our Poly Musicians on the red carpet of the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.
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Cult Couture: AITU by Lindah Lepou
Check out amazing snaps from Cult Couture: AITU by Lindah Lepou
Held over three days, the Māngere Arts Centre erupted with an exclusive feature Pacific couture multi-media show by international designer Lindah Lepou, a fashion competition, and a textile and adornment exhibition.
Pacific Couture Designer
Lineage Art + Natural Fiber
For over two decades, Lindah has been the only fashion designer we know of to have developed a consistent body of work made from a variety of natural fibres using traditional materials in contemporary ways, as far as Victoria and Albert Museum (London, UK) is concerned.
Her lineage approach to fashion and art inspires people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and industries the value in drawing inspiration from ones own unique lineage, and encouraging them to celebrate whatever it is that makes them special as an individual artist, company or community.
Photo Cred: Penina Joy Photography
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Red Carpet at the #VNZMA
The Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards was turnt up last night. Sammy Salsa got to have a chat with some of the celebrities on the Red Carpet, make sure to check that exclusive coming up soon. Check out the pics from the red carpet.
Photo Cred: Penina Momoisea