Lelei LeLaulu: The Quiet Force for Peace, Progress, and the Pacific
By Lagomauitumua Elizabeth Ah-Hi
In the hush of Oslo’s corridors, far from the lava fields of Savai’i, Samoa, a name surfaced on the world’s most prestigious shortlist: Lelei Tuisamoa Lelaulu, a development entrepreneur focused on peace-building, climate change, oceans, sustainable tourism, and indigenous rights, nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
To many, it came as a quiet surprise. But for those familiar with his trail of work — from the Caribbean to the Pacific, from the United Nations to Indigenous community councils — the honour felt like a long-overdue recognition. It validated not only the work of one man but the quiet wisdom of an entire ocean.
In a world that often confuses visibility with influence, Lelei is a rare exception. A proud son of Samoa whose impact has rippled across continents and causes, he has shaped global conversations on peace, climate resilience, Indigenous empowerment, and ethical tourism—not with fanfare, but with thoughtful precision, cultural depth, and purpose.…more
POLYFEST 2025 RESULTS
Cook Islands Stage
Division 3
1st Auckland Girls' Grammar School
2nd Waitakere College
3rd Edgewater College
Division 2
1st Otahuhu College
Division 1
Special Awards
Rakei (Costume)
1st= Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
1st= Tamaki College
2nd Mangere College
3rd Tangaroa College
Best Composition
1st Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
2nd Mangere College
3rd Tamaki College
Best Drummers
1st Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
2nd Tamaki College
3rd Manurewa High School
Pere Pere Tane
1st Manurewa High School
2nd Tamaki College
3rd Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
Pere Pere Vaine
1st Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
2nd Manurewa High School
3rd= Tamaki College
3rd= Papatoetoe High School
Competition Categories
Rangatira Tane/Vaine
1st Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
2nd Tangaroa College
3rd Tamaki College
Imene Tuki/Reo Metua
1st Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
2nd Mangere College
3rd Tamaki College
Ute
1st Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
2nd= Mangere College
2nd= Tangaroa College
3rd Tamaki College
Tua Peu Tupuna
1st Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
2nd Mangere College
3rd Manurewa High School
Kapa Rima
1st Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
2nd Mangere College
3rd Tamaki College
Ura Pa'u
1st= Sir Edmund Hillary…more
Weekend Sports Wrap - Sevens Glory for Fiji and Moana Pasifika's Stunning Comeback in Aucklan
While Polyfest ramped up over the weekend, our teams were also celebrating big wins at the HSBC SVNS, with Fiji and the Black Ferns taking home trophies in Singapore! And in a thrilling turn of events, Moana Pasifika delivered a stunning 45-28 win against the NSW Waratahs in Auckland.
Fiji Men's Sevens
Fiji defeated Kenya 21-12 in the Cup Finals, coming up from behind in a dramatic victory after a nil score against Kenya at half time.
Within two minutes of the second half, Joseva Talacolo broke two tackles and sent Vuiviwa Naduvalo to the try-line and Fiji was level.
As penalties and errors mounted against Kenya, denying it possession, the Flying Fijians held their nerve to score the three second half tries that saw them sweep the cup.
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - KALI TUI
Kali Tuli
Fijian
Singer / Songwriter
-
Tell us a little bit about yourself
Bula, my name is Abigail Tuiqilaqila also known as Kali Tui. Fiji has 300+ island and I am from the the village of Tubou on the Island of Lakeba with maternal links to Nukuloa, Gau, Fiji. Born and raised in Suva and I am proud to be an artist/singer in Fiji's music industry.
What was it like growing up in fiji?
Growing up in Fiji is a unique experience. We have under a million in our country's population and I'm blessed to be one of the few who gets to call Fiji home. Being home is always fun and relaxing as we live on "Fiji Time". It was also very humbling to live here as we have many different backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures in this country.
Did you always want to be a singer/songwriter?
Ever since I was little, I've always loved singing for sure.…more
ASB Polyfest: What You Need to Know
ASB Polyfests 50th Event is going down this weeek & there are a few things you should know going into this year!
TICKETS
- Buy tickets online to avoid long queues
- Online tickets $7.50, Gate Sales $10
- There will be cash and eftpos available at the gates
- Children under are FREE and require no tickets
LIVESTREAM
- ASB Polyfest is the OFFICIAL and ONLY Livestream Provider for 2025
- You must pay to watch the livestream
- You must create a login and sign in when you have access to the website here
SCHEDULES
- Full Schedules for speeches and performances for all stages are available online here
CONDITIONS
- Smoke free, Vape free, Drug free event
- All bags will be checked at the gate
- Please leave your cigarettes and vapes at home if you do not want them confiscated by security
STALLS
- There are over 100 stalls this year including food, drink, arts n crafts, education, health and social services providers
- Please bring cash as some stalls may not have eftpos.
Food/Drink
- You may bring your own packed lunch and drinks to Polyfest.…more
Samoa Declares 30-Day State of Emergency Amid Power Crisis
The Samoan government has declared a 30-day state of emergency as the main island of Upolu grapples with a severe power crisis.
This has included lifting tax on electricity-related equipment and mobilising assistance to support households, businesses and the private sector.
Major disruptions to Samoa's electricity supply have affected residents and businesses, with power rationing in place since February.
The crisis is due to faults in the country's main underground power cable, severe weather causing damage to power lines and poles, and the failure of backup generators, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said last week.
A fault in the underground cable between Fiaga and Fuluasou power plants caused a blackout in Upolu last month, leading to further repairs, and three key generators failed, reducing power generation.
Last week, the country's Finance Minister Lautimuia Uelese Vaaio supported the call for the government to declare a state of emergency.
The Proclamation of Emergency will enable the Government to implement urgent measures to stabilise the energy supply and mitigate the impacts of the crisis by:
1.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - SELA FALETOLU-FASI
Sela Faletolu-Fasi is a passionate artist, storyteller, and advocate from Christchurch, New Zealand, with roots in Samoa and Tonga.
Her work, particularly "Love; Mum" draws deeply from her personal struggles and triumphs, offering a heartfelt exploration of motherhood, love, forgiveness, and the healing power of sisterhood.
After a sold-out developmental season in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Love; Mum is currently showing this week at Auckland's The Basement Theatre! We caught up with Writer and Actor Sela Faletolu-Fasi about her work and current show!
Malo Lava Sela - could you please introduce yourself and where you're from?
Talofa lava, my name is Sela Faletolu-Fasi. I am the daughter of the late Reverend Lapana Faletolu (Fasito'outa, Samoa), and Salote Lasei (Fasi Moe Afi, Tonga). I am married to Silivelio Fasi and mum to six beautiful children, Favor (22), Victory (20), Princeton (18), Mercedes (14), Auteletoa (10) and Lapana (7) and we live in Christchurch.
Tell us about Love: Mum - what was the inspiration behind it?
Love; Mum was inspired by a goodbye letter I wrote to my six children in 2023.…more
Cook Islands named first Transgender Mayor - Joanne Rongoape Stephens
The Cook Islands have led the charge in the pacific in LGBTQIA+ rights with their decriminalisation same-sex relationships - and now that have named their very first transgender Mayor: Joanne Rongoape Stephens who will be leading the island community of Mauke.
Her election is not only a personal achievement but also a significant moment for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Pacific. Stephens, a dedicated advocate for her community, expressed her gratitude and vision for her tenure.
"In so many years we have come through, and we will just continue, no matter what happens," Stephens told Cook Islands News. "We just keep on keeping on encouraging our youth and our young ones, even our older people, just to do the right thing, and not do all these unnecessary things here."
Her leadership focuses on service, integrity, and fostering a sense of belonging within Mauke. Stephens aims to stimulate economic growth, promote unity, and uphold honesty and peace as core community values.…more
"This is a teaching institution, otherwise you get the jandal"- Red Carpet Premiere of Tinā
Tiare Savea takes us behind the scenes of the Tinā premiere, chatting with Anapela Polataivao (who plays Mareta Percival) about the grind it took to make this movie. Plus, peep the crews fit check as they flex on the red carpet.
Director : Shimpal Lelisi
Camera : Fa'anati Mamea
Sound : Marcus Lawson
Editor : Mario Gaoa
Talent : Tiare Savea
Port Moresby Fashion Week 2025 - Celebrating Creativity, Innovation, and Style
Port Moresby Fasion Week is set to make a return April 17-19 at the bustling Vision City Mega Mall!
Featured in the official PNG Fashion Week 2025 calendar, this year's event will certainly be an exhilarating showcase of local talents and international trends with six fashion/product runways throughout the three-day affair.
For eight good years running, the schedule of Port Moresby Fashion Week stands certainly as the pillar of Papua New Guinea's fashion industry by providing an outstanding platform for designers, models, and retailers to show their works to a growing audience.
It has developed into not only the feature of the calendar for PNG Fashion Week but also grows as a lighthouse to the fashion ardent here and from abroad, giving local talents international exposure and opportunity.
Taking place right at the Vision City Mega Mall, the region's popular shopping destination, the event is expected to attract over 20,000 shoppers each day, with foot traffic potentially increasing to 40,000 during the week of fashion itself.…more