Jason Momoa's excitement meeting a number of the All Blacks over the weekend has been beautiful to see but the Hollywood star is no band wagon fan.  The Hawaiian actor has expressed his adoration of the All Blacks for years now. 

Back in 2013, Jason was here for the Armageddon expo and was not keen on doing any kind of media.  Seven Sharp managed to get an interview with him out at Piha and journo Craig Stanaway asked him if he'd like to meet anyone here in NZ. 

Turns out the only person Momoa wanted to meet was his All Blacks hero, none other than Va'aiga Tuigamala (RIP).  Props to Craig Stanaway who was able to arrange a meet with Inga for the star struck 'Game of Thrones' actor.  Even got himself a copy of Inga the Wingers book!  Watch how it went down in the IG video below.…more

He’s crossed the ocean to compete in this season of Know Your Roots! 

Proud Australian Samoan Joe Faagase is ready to take on all the kiwi islanders to battle. You may recognize him from the famous YouTube channel Harlito and Jojo. The content creating duo describe their channel as “just two brown boys who are the biggest fried chicken enthusiasts and we’re on a personal mission to bring more light and laughter to YouTube”. 

Outside of YouTube you may also recognize Joe as the creative mind behind stunning Pageant cultural wear, viral posts about his love for Jason Taumalolo and just recently he was on Not Another Talanoa Podcast.

Joe grew up in Logan City Australia and is proud to also belong to the villages of Tapueleele, Asau, Tuanai and Vaea. All the places he hopes to do proud this season.

The content creator and creative brings to the competition his sharp mind and wit. He says, “My knowledge is my secret weapon. Brains over brawns”.…more

He’s come straight off air to hop on tv!

Regan Foa'i aka. Just The Norms took a little break from hosting hit radio show “The Morning Shack” and social media creation to prove that he knows his roots.

The radio host and content creator enter the competition representing our smaller Pacific islands, Niue and Tokelau. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t bringing big competition.

He’s a big personality with a few tricks up his sleeve. Which by our surprise he said isn’t any particular physical skills but actually his comedic strengths. Saying, “Humor will be my secret strength to get people of my side. They’ll think he’s funny let’s keep him around”

Regan comes ready to remind his fellow competitors that small islands know their roots best. “I was so keen to represent. I haven’t seen any Niuean’s before. I’ve saw Lady Shaka last season repping Tokelau, so I wanted to bring Tokelau again, together with Niue. Also, its really about learning a bit more about the Pacific islands.…more

* PG recommended - coarse language 

Roman Reigns (ex-NFL player turned face of the WWE) joins the 'Impaulsive' podcast boys to discuss fighting The Rock at WrestleMania, viral mic catch & legendary rivalry vs Brock Lesnar, retiring from NFL due to leukemia, infamously forgetting his lines vs John Cena, ruthless moments from WWE fans, Logan’s challenge to Roman & more.

Jason Momoa arrived in to Auckland Airport on the 15th September and was greeted with a pōwhiri by kapa haka group 'Ahina i te Kaupapa' from Rāhui Pōkeka (Huntly).

Word on the street is that Jason is here in Aotearoa scouting locations for his upcoming Apple TV, Hawaiian historic show, Chief of War.

More on the show here - https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/jason-momoa-write-star-hawaiian-history-drama-series-rcna23259

We've reached the end of the first season of 'Not Another Talanoa' Podcast and we're going out with a a bang!  We have none other than the incredible Joe Fa'agase joining host Mariner Fagaiava-Muller.

Maz and Joe talk about the difference between NZ islanders & AUS islanders, navigating identity, dealing with losing a parent and more.

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Bringing you a spin-off from the hit Fresh segment, the Not Another Talanoa! podcast is a deep dive into the hot human discourse from a young Pacific lens. Join Mariner, Producer Brianna and their special guest co-host as they riff off news and current affairs and controversial topics with perspectives you’ll be able to relate to. Line your stomachs y’all, this trio deliver their opinions straight - no chaser.

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Credits

Camera Operator - Christo Montes

Sound Op & Editor - Sefa Taouma 

The first-ever town plan for Avarua - the capital of the Cook Islands - has won an International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) award for its response to the climate crisis at a Gala Awardsd Ceremony in South Korea recently.

The honour was awarded to Auckland/Wānaka based practise Reset Urban Design in association with traffic engineers Stantec and Rarotonga based architect Romani Katoa.  It was one of two prizes presented to Reset Urban Design.

Te Tau Papa o Avarua - The Avarua Town Plan, which was praised by judges for its climate change mitigation and positive contribution to the wider Cook Islands community, was commissioned by the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) - a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cook Islands Government and controls the country’s property and public works.

The second IFLA award presented to Reset Urban Design who again worked with local architect Romani Katoa on the project, was for the development of Aitutaki's first-ever spatial plan: Te Papa Tau o Araura.…more

This competitor is coming in hot and repping her home on her back!

Petmal Petelo Lam is an actress, theatre star and dancer! She’s what show business calls a triple threat. You may recognize her is an original member of the Wild Dogs Under My Skirt cast and crew which toured New York in 2019.

She has been involved in numerous productions with different independent companies both on and off stage. The actress made her TV screen acting debut on Teine Sā: The Ancient Ones.

The actress enters Know Your Roots as our first contestant born and raised in the islands. She hails from the villiages of Saleaula and Samatau. On this season Petmal will answer the question if being island-raised really is an advantage in the game.

“I was born and raised in Samoa. If there’s anything that comes my way that’s cultural I can handle it” she tells us. Petmal who says her friends would describe her as “the queen” is competition ready.…more

He’s the golden child shared between Tonga and New Zealand.

In 2016, Lotima Nicholas Pome'e (a.k.a General Fiyah) was introduced to the public as a member of the highly successful reggae band Three Houses Down, in which his father and uncle are both a part of. Ever since his arrival into the music industry he has been a recognizable face across the Pacific.

The places he calls home are South Auckland, Ma'ufanga, Hofoa and Sopo. All the places he is competing to do proud on this season of Know Your Roots.

Going into the fierce competition General Fiyah remembers past seasons and the dancing elements. He tells us that dancing is his secret weapon, saying  “I can faiva. I can do the Tongan dance and I have that up my sleeve”.

General Fiyah is the youngest competitor to enter Know Your Roots in its history. Being young has not hindered his spirit to fully invest in the competition and go through it all with his Uncle Charlie Pome’e who also joins this year’s cast.…more

Tongan Heavyweight boxer Hemi Ahio will follow in the footsteps of legendary Samoan boxer David Tua and showcase his talents along with Cruiserweight boxer & Commonwealth Gold medalist David Nyika, to a bumper live free-to-air TV audience in October.

TVNZ will screen both NZ boxers fights on the undercard of the undisputed lightweight championship rematch between Aussie former unified world champion George Kambosos Jr and American current undisputed world champion Devin Haney in Melbourne on October 16.

The last time a boxing world title fight screened free-to-air in New Zealand was Tua’s unsuccessful tilt against Lennox Lewis in November 2000. The broadcast was viewed by a record 1.3 million people, which at that time translated into an incredible 82% of all TV viewers – 200,000 more than watched the royal wedding of Charles and Diana.

Undefeated heavyweight knockout artist Ahio is out to break into the world rankings – ahead of a blockbuster world title fight – so fight fans are in for a rare treat.

“There’s a lot more to New Zealand heavyweight boxing than Joseph Parker,” Ahio said.…more