MOZIE

SINGER / SONGWRITER

SAMOAN

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Te Whanganui-a-Tara-based Samoan singer / songwriter MOZIE, recently dropped new RnB-pop single ‘Sonshine’.

With an addictive upbeat groove, catchy hopeful lyrics and stunning vocals, ‘Sonshine’ is a song that effortlessly fills any space with warmth. We talked to MOZIE about her journey in music and her latest work!

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Tell us a bit about yourself

O lo’u igoa o Moana Leota, I come from the villages of Vaimoso, Avao and Tanugamanono. I grew up in the beautiful Wairarapa and currently reside in Te Whanganui-a-tara. I am an artist and a Mum!

Have you always wanted to become an artist? What was your journey into music like?

Yes! I’ve always loved music/art and been surrounded by it since i was a dot! My Mum is a singer and a painter, and many of my aiga sing too. My journey into music started with the classic primary school productions. I used to get real bad stage fright but the more I did, the more I enjoyed myself.…more

Samoa comes alive with the sound of soccer as women kick the goals that matter in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament-Oceania Qualifier in Samoa this week!

The tournament features eight teams competing for an Olympic spot with competing teams include New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, American Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Samoa.

The competition winner will represent Oceania at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Samoa’s squad is dominated by international players with Samoan heritage coming from Utah, California, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

As the only local player selected to represent her home nation, Repeka Asofa hopes that more local players will be selected for future sporting events.

“I feel blessed that God has gifted me with this talent so I can represent my people in this tournament,” she said.

However, she added that it wasn’t easy to get a spot on the team.

For the 23-year-old from Savaii, her family has been financially supported by her passion for football over the years.…more

In honour of lovers day, we’re celebrating Brown Love! We asked you about your love, here’s what you had to say.

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Single Mother: Sofia 

What does love look like in your home?

I highly value love that is shown by actions. Love in our home is: Love is a book of beautiful poetry, Love is my girl making me a cuppa tea. Love is my son watering my pot plants especially my frangipani. Love is my girl bringing me a beautiful flower she'd picked on her walk home. Love is my son bringing home some fabric, a rock, a stone or bits of Italian marble he'd rescued from a skip because he knows I will be overjoyed and will use it in a future art project. Love is knowing that my children understand they are most beloved but that i expect accountability from them. Love is allowing each of us in our fale to live our lives with freedom, satisfaction and authenticity.…more

Tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is JJ4K. I was born and raised in Brisbane, Queensland. Specifically, I spent
my early years in Boondall and Zillmere (4034), and the other half of my adolescence
in Inala (4077). My ethnicity is Samoan and Tongan, but spent all my years around
my Samoan half. Currently, I’m aspiring to be an artist, trying to become one of the
best lyricists in the Australian/New Zealand scene.

Have you always wanted to become an artist? What was your journey into music like?

From very early, I figured out I wanted to be a performer in music. I was never NOT
dancing. My first mentor was my uncle, he always put me onto any music that was
either new or a must-know classic. The sound eventually took over and younger me
started picking up sticks to hit things and I was hooked from then on. At the age of 8,
the first real instrument was the drums, soon after (while scouring YouTube) I picked
up the guitar.…more

Jason Momoa was spotted today filming stunts in Auckland - it's suspected that today's filming was for the new Minecraft film currently in Production.

Credit: Louisa Tipene Opetaia 

In the midst of Auckland's pressing housing crisis, the OWN IT initiative by Tāmaki Regeneration is emerging as a transformative force, specifically designed to uplift Māori and Pasifika families facing unprecedented challenges in the city's housing market.

Afoa Tevita Malolo, spokesperson for Tāmaki Regeneration, sheds light on how this program aims not only to provide homes but also to reshape the narrative for marginalised communities.

Auckland's housing crisis has escalated to alarming levels, making headlines globally for its soaring property prices and diminishing affordability.

According to The Demographia International Housing Affordability Report, Auckland currently ranks as one of the least affordable housing markets globally, placing 88th out of 94 markets surveyed worldwide. This crisis disproportionately affects Māori and Pasifika families, pushing homeownership further out of reach.

The challenges faced by Māori and Pasifika families in Auckland's housing market are deeply rooted in historical and systemic issues. As highlighted by various studies, these communities often find themselves at the margins, facing biases in traditional mortgage environments and struggling with the increasing unaffordability of homes.…more

Thomas Pa'a Sibbett: Nurturing Polynesian Voices Through Film and Resilience

In a candid and insightful conversation, Thomas Pa'a Sibbett or Pa’a Sibbett - as he laughingly shared. “When I first started writing, I thought I needed a professional sounding name so that’s where Thomas came from but most people call me Pa’a.” The Co-writer of Aquaman shares his unique journey of self-discovery, cultural pride, and the pursuit of his voice as a screenwriter. 

Hailing from Hawaii before immigrating to Washington, Sibbett's experiences have not only shaped his identity but also fueled his passion for storytelling, particularly through the lens of his Polynesian culture.

Sibbett begins by reflecting on his childhood. Moving from Hawaii to Washington as his family were “Priced out of Paradise” as most indigenous Hawaiians are experiencing sadly. He shares that although they lived away from their island, they still remained very much connected to their culture through art & dance.

Sibbett recalls times where he and his family would use culture to keep kids out of trouble in their neighborhood.

“We also did anti-gang work.…more

'Let's Trot' Podcast's Sauce sits down with ex Panthers enforcer Spencer Leniu to chat about his new chapter at the Sydney Roosters, that water bottle incident with new team mate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, pre-season dramas, and Spencer answers the mystery question from Nathan Cleary.

All this and more!

Multidisciplinary Artist Wendy Mocke gave us a glimpse into her life. 

Tell us a bit about yourself 

I am a Papua New Guinean actor, playwright, screenwriter, chauffeur to my daughter and personal chef to my daughter's pet cat. In terms of my heritage, my father’s people are from Usino Bundi in Madang Province and my mother’s people are from Simbu province. I grew up in beautiful Madang so it will always be home to me. When I was 12 years old, my parents sent me to Cairns, Australia. I went to a boarding run by Irish Catholic nuns who were equal parts scary and incredible. They helped shape my life. So I also like to say that far north QLD holds a very soft gooey space in my heart.

Have you always wanted to become an artist?

I have this very clear memory in my head. When I was eight years old, I said to my father: ‘Dad, when I grow up, I want to be an artist’.…more

FitTeens: A progamme run by youth, for youth.

15 Year old Roman Amosa is one of the head trainers of the fitness Progamme FItTeens. A programme that has created a safe space for young Pasifika youth across auckland to come together and keep in shape.

The programme began in November of 2023 with only 10 members, and has since grown to an impressive 50 FitTeens members. 

Roman takes multiple classes a week along with her sister Kaide, and fellow trainer Vincent Lee. 
The group are passionate about fitness and encouraging others to stay well. 

Youth from all around auckland travel to Zero to 100 Gym in Ormiston just to attend. It is their hope that they may one day expand enough to hold classes in North, West and South Auckland also.