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 and Ashley is back with her Round of Reckons PLUS we take a look at the NFL Draft which is happening this weekend (29th April 22 NZT). 

We speak to Calum Niuafe, San Francisco 49ers & NFL fan/stats guy who lets us know what Pasifika players we should be looking out for in the draft this weekend, why he loves American Football and who his fave player of Pasifika heritage is.   We also talk to Epenesa Pakola - a college football Mom in the US who gives us a bit of insight as to why College Football is so important in regards to getting drafted to the NFL.…more

Drew Afualo is a juggernaut with a following of millions, drawn into her clapback crusades against misogyny and sexism & now a New Yorks Best Selling Author! What can't she do?

Drew opens up with journalist Mariner Fagaiava-Muller, about fighting for Pacific Island representation in the media industry. She also spills on Coachella, why the NFL is close to her heart, and her next career moves.

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Interviewer: Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

Editor: Sefa Taouma

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ On Air.

When people imagine the cure for the climate crisis many would picture white coats in labs creating new formulas to solve the problem or government officials in expensive suits signing lengthy documents. The reality is, the cure is not in a test tube or document, it is in a relationship that needs mending. It’s as simple as healing the relationship between humans and Earth.

Samoans call this relationship a “vā”. A sacred relationship between people and the environment. The land gives and the land also takes. The ocean cares for the village as long as the village cares for the ocean. This concept of connection to nature is also found across all indigenous cultures. In Kenya they call it “Tunza” which is Swahili for “taking care of and guarding”.

Indigenous languages point to the crucial relationship people have with the planet and it informs how different cultural practices honor this. Across the Pacific, villages and communities practice conservation practices that if implemented worldwide could be a part of the solution to combat environmental damage.…more

Samoan actor Beulah Koale's latest movie "DUAL" hit the big screens in the US last weekend starring Karen Gillam (Jumanji) and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad).

He talks here about his role and you can check out the trailer below - 

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.…more

Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne celebrated Easter weekend by surprising his parents and gifting them a house in his hometown of Portland, Oregon. 

Watch how it all went down in the video above.

Kendrick who is of Samoan heritage - his mother Luisa is Samoan and his father is African American - signed with the New England Patriots to a three-year, $15 million deal with $7.25 million guaranteed.  By having a career year, Bourne was also able to pick up $750,000 in incentives.

If he's able to have another strong season in 2022, he could very well be in line to earn a nice extension from the Patriots going into the last year of his deal.

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