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

Know Your Roots is back in 2 weeks and we're introducing you to the fresh new cast!

Joining us this year as a fierce competitor is Waiata Jennings. You may recognise her from TikTok where she has racked up more than 300,000 fans and 21.7 million likes. Outside of the social media world Waiata is also known for her netball and basketball skills. In fact the TikTok star is currently on a Basketball scholarship in Dalla Texas.

Before she jet-setted off to the courts of the US she joined the Know Your Roots battlefield. Waiata said she took up the challenge because of the interactive way the series tackles learning culture. "I took up the challenge this season because I could see that it was a fun environment. The cultural based challenges also made me pause and think this could actually be a really awesome experience for me" she shared.

At 20 years old she is one of the youngest competitors but that did not stop her from bringing the fire. She noted, "I probably dont come off as competitive.…more

THE WORLD NEEDED A HERO… IT GOT BLACK ADAM

Check out the latest trailer for Dwayne Johnsons latest outing in 'Black Adam' coming to theatres in October this year.

It is the first-ever feature film to explore the story of the DC Super Hero and comes to the big screen under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra (“Jungle Cruise”).

In ancient Kahndaq, Teth Adam was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods. After using these powers for vengeance, he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam. Nearly 5,000 years have passed and Black Adam has gone from man, to myth, to legend. Now released, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone.

Sonny Bill Williams will fight Mark Hunt in an explosive heavyweight showdown at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena on November 5.

Stan Sport on Thursday confirmed details of the bout between dual code legend Williams and MMA great Hunt with the high profile pugilists set to come face to face at a 10am AEST press conference.

The fight - available for Stan customers to purchase on Stan Event - will be the first for Williams since his emphatic round one knockout of Barry Hall in March.

Now Sonny will step up again and face one of the country's most dangerous knockout artists on Stan Event.

Mark Hunt has taken on the best in the world and shown the power and determination to finish on top, and now he has a chance to stop a rising boxing superstar in his tracks.

More info in the full article via Wide World of Sports here 

"I wanted to write a story that focused on the experiences of Pasifika kids like me. Growing up, there weren’t any books about Pasifika children. Even on TV or in the movies, there weren’t any stories about kids who looked like me." - Litea Fuata 

She's about to start work as a cook in a childcare centre and has worked in youth work, aged care and for Oz Harvest rescuing food for charities.  Now Litea Fuata can add published author to her resume after her debut childrens book 'White Sunday' was released today (Wednesday 7th Sep 22).

Litea who was born in New Zealand and now lives in Meanjin, Brisbane with her partner and cat says that she's really proud of her first book 'White Sunday' and hopes that young Pasifika readers will walk away with a feeling of being seen and of joy after reading her book.…more

He's beloved by the masses because of his carefree attitude and brutal fighting style but Tai Tuivasa is well aware of the task in front of him this weekend in Paris.

We followed 'Bam Bam' to Thailand for his training camp in the lead up to his title eliminator fight against former UFC Interim Heavyweight champ Ciryl Gane.