We Are Samoa Gala - Caring for our Elders
Caring for our elders is a natural part of our culture that often gets underestimated as a huge undertaking. It’s a bit like becoming a parent … you can never really grasp the level of responsibility, patience, care, and compassion you need to have to tend to the needs of your ageing parents or grandparents.
When you layer in something like diabetes or heart disease and all of the extra knowledge and understanding and empathy that has to come with it, it’s a jolt to the system.
Fa'anana Jerome Grey's daughter Ana shares her insights on how things played out with their dad when he had his first stroke, and then a second. She also gets pretty vulnerable about witnessing their Mom’s battle with diabetes slowly getting more difficult and eventually taking her from their family. Both diseases run prevalent in our Pacific Islands community.…more
Hemi 'The Heat' Ahio - WBC Middle East Heavyweight Champion
In October last year, Hemi 'The Heat' Ahio made history winning the first-ever World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight title in the Middle East when he fought Mohammad Ali Bayat Farid on Amir Khan's Crypto Fight Night in Dubai.
The South Auckland born, Tongan heavy hitter and his coach Doug Viney share Hemi's fight night experience, winning the WBC Middle East Heavyweight belt and goals for the future.
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air
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Director - Penina Momoiseā
Editor - Sefa Taouma
Camera Operator - Adrian Mcbirney
Young Rock - Season 2 Trailer
Watch Dwayne Johnson return in the hilarious sitcom about his extraordinary life starring Pasifika stars from down under Stacey Leilua, Uli Latukefu, Ana Tuisila and Fasitua Amosa. Check out the trailer above.
If you're in the US tune in to NBC where the new series will premiere in NBC's Tuesday comedy block at 8pm.
While we wait to see if TVNZ picks up the series for audiences here, you'll also be able to watch it on PeacockTV but you'll need a VPN.
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Dwayne also recaps Season 1 and shares what you can look forward to coming up in Season 2 in this sneak peak video below -
Update: Covid-19 in the Pacific Islands
via RNZ Pacific & local news outlets
Cover photo of Fiji health workers by Leon Lord/AFP/Getty Images
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Solomon Islands figures soar, Vanuatu confirms their first Covid related death, Medical staff test positive in American Samoa, Over 200 active cases in the Cook Islands, the Tongan Prime Minister tests positive for Covid and more ...
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AMERICAN SAMOA
American Samoa now has 527 reported cases of Covid-19 in the community. 51 new cases were confirmed after tests were conducted at Department of Health clinics and LBJ Hospital over the weekend.
Acting Chief of Staff for LBJ Hospital Dr Akapusi Ledua reported a physician from LBJ Hospital had been admitted to the Covid ward - one of four doctors among 11 staff members of the hospital who have tested positive.
80.9% of the territory's population is fully vaccinated. Federal medical personnel are on island helping the territorial health authorities's response.
As Covid-19 continues to spread across Tutuila health officials are encouraging people to stock up or prepare for when one family member becomes positive.
Governor Lemanu P. S.…more
Addressing the Pacific Pay Gap and introducing Pay Transparency
Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo was on Breakfast to talk about the importance of addressing ALL pay gaps - ethnic, gender and disability pay gaps and urgently introducing pay transparency as we celebrate International Women's Day.
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Via the NZ Human Rights Commission
Addressing the Pacific Pay Gap and introducing Pay Transparency
Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo was on Breakfast to talk about the importance of addressing ALL pay gaps - ethnic, gender and disability pay gaps and urgently introducing pay transparency as we celebrate International Women's Day.
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Via the NZ Human Rights Commission
Lismore Floodings: "All I've Got Left Is My Passport"
“I’m in South Lismore and it’s completely gone. In my house, all my furniture has been destroyed, my beds gone, my clothing’s all wet, the carpets caked in mud, the walls are sweating”
When Analia Tamamoka Hedley moved to Australia two years ago to live and work, she was greeted by smoke in the sky from the Australian bush fires.
Shortly after settling into her new life in Lismore, northeastern New South Wales, the world shut down with Covid. Today she went home to find everything she owns has been destroyed in the flooding that has overwhelmed Lismore and other parts of Queensland & NSW.
“Things come in threes right? So this has to be it, that’s enough now, I’ve had enough” she laughs
Analia who is of Niuean heritage and born & bred in New Zealand, said the first she heard about evacuating was from the SES (State Emergency Services) at about 4.30pm on Sunday.
“Someone had sent me a screenshot of a message from SES and so before I left I tidied my kitchen.…more
Moana Pasifika named for historic debut against Crusaders
Via Moana Pasifika
Pictured above Left to Right: Ereatara Enari, Captain Sekope Kepu and Almanda Motuga. Photo credit: Taylah Johnson
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Moana Pasifika have named an historic side for their inaugural Super Rugby Pacific match against the Crusaders on Friday night at 7.05pm.
Their maiden voyage into the competition comes in round three after the postponement of the first two matches due to the team needing to self-isolate with Covid cases.
Head Coach Aaron Mauger recognises the significance of the match and what it means for Pacific Island Rugby.
“This has been 26 years in the making and after recent challenges, it’s good to finally be here.
For many it will be their debut and significantly they are getting the opportunity to take to the field and compete, when perhaps an opportunity wouldn’t be available.…more
'We are Samoa Gala' - Sisa Grey & 'O le Olaga o Samoa'
The Grey family is proud to announce the launch of the Jerome Grey Performing Arts Scholarship Fund, a program designed to provide scholarships, mentorship programs, and resources to young Pacific Islanders looking to pursue a career in the arts.
Whether it be a career in music, acting, theater, dance, fashion, painting, or culinary arts, there are so many budding artists out there in the Pacific community aching to pursue their dreams, but often it becomes a matter of access to resources, information or just the encouragement that IT. CAN. BE. DONE!
Jerome Grey's daughter Sisa gets raw with us & shares her personal experience of working towards a standard education or a degree that didn’t feel authentic to her and didn’t fill her cup. It was only when she stepped into her truth to pursue her love of acting that she was able to bring together a very, very rare opportunity to combine her love of acting, her love of the Sāmoan culture, and her love and deep appreciation for her Dad’s music to the small screen.…more
Fijian-Australians Play "Never Have I Ever"
Selai, Bayvick, Thelma, Ilisavani, Voli K and Maika play Buzzfeed's version of "Never Have I Ever" Fijian edition.
The group of proud Fijians talk about Fijian accents, being asked about playing 7s and questions about Kava. Buzzfeed even puts them in the hot seat asking about the birds and the bees conversation in a Fijian household. This lot give hilarious commentary on the Fijian-Australian experience.
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Video from Buzzfeed Oz