Stepping Stone House ambassador Ronaldo Mulitalo – NRL player for the Cronulla Sharks - features in this moving tribute to his childhood, growing up poor but surrounded by love, and to his passion for giving back to other young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Ronaldo talks openly with Stepping Stone House CEO Jason Juretic about his tough start in life and what motivates him to now help others in need.

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Learn more about how Stepping Stone House works to end youth homelessness, and donate to support the young people in their care here - https://steppingstonehouse.com.au/how-to-help/donate/

by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

“It’s funny because a child, babysitting a child? That’s the norm for us,” she said. “It’s an unspoken responsibility.”

“For us brown women, we’re told what we have to be, who we have to be, where we can go, what we can do. That has an impact on the boundaries we hold moving forward.”

“It’s sacred in how you tautua to your aiga and nu’u around you.”

The world has sung along to Encanto and the life of Luisa Madrigal, and followed the trials of the eldest siblings on Bridgerton - but being the eldest child in a Pacific family comes with its own particular realities and responsibilities. Three Pacific big sisters share their stories.

At almost 22-years-old, Paulina Tapua’i-Soti feels like it’s only now she can begin living out her aspirations - after a teenagehood spent tending to two little brothers.

She’s the second child of her parents, their eldest and only girl. Until the birth of her younger siblings, Paulina enjoyed a spoiled upbringing by extended family.…more

Coco Sports Talk with Penina and Ashley - covering all things sports from a Pasifika female lens!

#CocoSportsTalk looks at the many stories of Pasifika people involved in sports of all kinds, and the trials and tribulations of the talented athletes from all sectors of our community.

This episode we cover recent sporting headlines, we speak to Sera Naiqama about Super W, Katelyn Vaha’akolo on her first NRLW season and see what’s coming up on the sporting calendar around the world including the NFL draft.…more

Like ya cut G! Over the weekend, Trilogy Barbers held the first ever barbering expo of its kind in New Zealand.

'The Blueprint' started with an education seminar with some of the biggest hittas in the business, including Matt Brown (My Father's Barbers), Sean The Barber and of course the Trilogy Barber Expo team - Vea Fonua, Jabez Makawe and Peleti Oli 

A showcase of award winning Aotearoa-based barbers then took place, cutting for the crowd to watch live.

Barbers from across the country turned up to learn from each other, about the craft itself and how to improve in ways beyond the chair.

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Credits:

Director: Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

Camera Operator: Mary-Louise Raela

Sound Operator & Editor: Sefa Taouma

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ On Air

JUNIOR AUMAVAE

CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER

SAMOAN

Junior Aumavae is a former American football nose tackle. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Today he is serving as the Chief Equity Officer for the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska. 

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What are your home villages in both Alaska and Samoa?

I was born in American Samoa from the village of ili ili. I currently live in Anchorage, Alaska. 

You started your career in football during your earlier years.…more

by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

In a report released on Tuesday, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) renewed its dire outlook for humanity. But is anyone paying attention? Activist Brianna Fruean offers analysis and reaction.

I sit down with Brianna Fruean, of Sāmoan-Tokelauan heritage, on a brisk Auckland morning. We’re talking about an issue we both know too much about. It’s close to home. Rising sea levels, coral bleaching, increased intensity of natural disasters. This all comes on the tail of warmer temperatures imposed by mankind. “E pala ma’a ‘ae le pala upu - even works may decay but words are everlasting”. Those words were some of many said by Fruean while speaking at COP26 in November, gripening world leaders at a deafening silence. We begin our talanoa with the words used by the IPCC to explain the climate emergency.

Mariner: When you look at IPCC reports generally, the language used to describe the current climate is confronting, but much of the same. So in 2018, it was the ‘doomsday report’. Last year was the ‘code red for humanity’.…more

Check out UFC stars Tyson Pedro & Tai Tuivasa and their new 'Drink West' business partner, Penrith Panthers star halfback Nathan Cleary debut music video.

It features Australian idol favourite Shannon Noll and they sing his classic cover 'What Bout Me' 

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They released a hilarious behind the scenes video prior to the actual video - check it out below