The competition continues to heat up as 'The Voice Australia' moves on to the next stage of the competition in the 'Battle Rounds' 

This phase brings an entirely new level of intensity, as contestants go head-to-head in duets and sing-offs, raising the bar for their performances each time they hit the stage. 

The Battle Rounds came with a heavy heart as we bid farewell to one of the season's standout performers, Marley Sola. Marley, a fan-favourite who had impressed both judges and audiences alike with his soulful performances, faced a tough battle that ultimately marked the end of his journey on The Voice Australia.

Team Coach Guy Sebastian opted to go with Australian singer, Bella Mackenzie after both sang for their lives, sharing on his decision, "the thing that is guiding my gut is really about who I can help the most.”

As the competition intensifies, remaining Pasifika singers Razé, David Aumua, and Giaan Jordan will have their eyes on securing a coveted spot in the next round.…more

By Loveni Enari

To know, know, know him ... is to love, love, love him - the Teddy Bears from 1958 - beautiful song. Think about your friend list and think whose name you could possibly associate with it.

I challenge anyone, but anyone, who's a friend of Ta'i Paitai’s, to listen to that song and say it's not perfect for him!

Central City Library Artist in Residence, kete-weaver extraordinaire, prestigious dancer, Ta'i Paitai, that is.

You meet him, you think what an extraordinarily nice person, you tell someone who knows him and their reaction?

You get what I call that false Auckland voice (except it's real with Ta'i), 'Ooohhhh but he's lovely! What a lovely guy. He's so nice. He's amazing. Oh isn't he adorable'

Blah, blah, blah.

The first five people I mentioned his name to had that exact same reaction. 100%.

In three words - in bloody credible!

More incredible is his work as an artist.…more

In what was supposed to be an electrifying start to their respective Rugby World Cup campaigns, Fiji found themselves at the center of controversy as they suffered a gut-wrenching loss to Wales.

The match saw a comeback try slip from Fiji in the final minute of the game, but fans and pundits alike have been left questioning the fairness of the game, due to contentious refereeing decisions that many say seem to have favoured the Welsh side

Fiji will be looking to bounce back from their loss when they play against Australia on Monday 18, September 3:45amNZST

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Other Pacific Games:

New Zealand v Namibia - Saturday 16 September, 7amNZST
Samoa v Chile - Sunday 17 September, 1amNZST
Tonga v Ireland - Sunday 17 September, 7amNZST

By Loveni Enari

A year out of a person’s life may not be such a long time but when it’s a year since the sudden death of a loved one, it takes on a special significance.

When that person was a six foot four and 120kg larger than life type, who exuded colour and vibrancy, the dark emptiness is sharpened.

Willie Los’e, the first Māori-Tongan, Pasifika, sports show host on New Zealand radio, was that guy. He died in still unexplained circumstances while working in South Africa and, for those close to him, explanations at this stage are simply no longer necessary. He’s gone and no research by coroners is going to bring him back.…more

As the City Kickboxing boys get ready to take to the Octagon for UFC 293, we take you behind the scenes of UFC 293 Fight Week! 🎥

We go backstage so you get a front-row seat to the action, both on stage and behind the camera 👊🏽

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

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Credits:  

Shot by Penina Momoisea

Edited by Sefa Taouma 

Alongside the rise of Auckland’s City Kickboxing Gym, Tongan striking coach Tristam Apikotoa aka Twister or Twist, has often been credited by some of the gym’s biggest stars for the role he plays in their success.

Dan ‘The Hangman’ Hooker calls Twist his ‘secret weapon’ and Israel ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya has described him as being 'knowledgable in the game, under-rated and a dark horse'.

We first met Twist in the buildup to UFC271 where he was often seen quietly observing the boys training sessions and Spyda drills.

With City Kickboxing Gym making history at UFC 293 having the most fighters from one gym on a card, Twist allowed us a rare interview.

Get to know the man, the myth and the legend in his own words below - 

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My Mum is Alisi Peau Ave-ika-Ki-Moana Wolfgramm from Neiafu, Vava'u and my father is Sosefo Losino Apikotoa Sapa'ata from Niua Fo'ou. Hihifo, NiuaToputapu.  Both families migrated and settled on the mainland in the village of Fasi-Moe-Afi A Tungi, Tongatapu.…more

by Thomas Law

In little over five weeks’ time, the Pacific Rugby League Championships will kick off, a concept tried in the past but not with this level of backing and interest from so many parties. Over four rounds in October and November, this will be the first major taste of international rugby league in the Southern Hemisphere since the 2019 Oceania Cup, with more teams involved than ever before, plans for future editions in years and financial commitments to equality across nations and gender.

In addition to Tonga’s pre-scheduled tour of England, Aotearoa New Zealand and last year’s World Cup finalists, Australia and Samoa, will compete in a round-robin, top-tier Pacific Championships, whilst Papua New Guinea, the Cook Islands and Fiji compete in a bowl hosted in Port Moresby. Concurrently there will also be a series of women’s games featuring all seven nations.…more

Sarai Bareman is one of the most influential women in world sport ⚽️

Hailing from West Auckland, she’s been FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer since 2016, when the role was first created. You might have heard of her brother too - Eugene Baremen is the coach of UFC stars Israel Adesanya, Alex Volkanovski, and Dan Hooker.

On the back of this year’s record-breaking Women’s World Cup, Between Two Beers spoke to her about organising the tournament and the chaos of Opening Day, as well as her fight against corruption and sexism in football.

As the excitement continues to build, fans of The Voice Australia are now firmly entrenched in the Callbacks stage of the competition.

With the Blind Auditions having concluded, the stakes are higher than ever as contestants face off in groups of three, vying for a spot in the upcoming Battle Rounds. The pressure is on as one singer advances directly to the Battles, another earns a second chance in the Ultimate Callback, and sadly, one hopeful's journey comes to an end.

With emotions running high and the judges, as well as the audience, holding their breath, the Callbacks stage has proven to be a true test of both talent and skill.

This season of The Voice Australia has been particularly special for its Pasifika contestants who have captivated both the judges and the audience with their skills.

Among them, Samoan crooner Marley Sola stands out as a shining star.…more

By Loveni Enari

Is it time to start dreaming once more?

Just like in 1991, 1995 and 1999, those being the last golden years of Manu Samoa rugby when they successfully navigated the pool stages and made the quarter finals of a World Cup.

The boys in royal blue were millimetres away from beating Ireland, the world number one last Saturday and, according to team manager Faautu Talapusi, it may be a sign of better things to come.

'The team was absolutely heartbroken and you could see they absolutely believed they could beat Ireland but they fell short,' said Talapusi from their current base in Perpignan.

'The win was there for the taking.' 

So near, yet so far ... just what the doctor ordered ... just not good enough ... an inch is as good as a mile ... plenty to be pleased about ... stands us in good stead for the tournament ...…more