Sir Collin Tukuitonga makes history as first Niuean knight and professor
“Scholarship should be activism,” he said. “It should work for the people it speaks about.” Sir Colin Tukuitonga via RNZ
With those words, Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga KNZM stood before a full house at the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika, not just as an academic, but as a servant of the people.
On 5 June, Sir Collin delivered his inaugural professorial lecture, An Advocate for Equity, surrounded by community, colleagues and loved ones. The evening marked a significant milestone. He is now the first Niuean to hold both a knighthood and a professorial title. He is also one of only two Niuean professors in the world — a rare combination that reflects decades of service, humility and commitment to improving the lives of Pacific peoples.
From the villages of Alofi to global platforms of health leadership, Sir Collin has stayed true to the values passed down by his grandparents.
“In my case, my mother had 15 siblings — all of them were mums and dads. I was raised by my grandparents — a Niuean tradition. Grandad was tough love.…more
Samoa General Election 2025 - What You Need To Know To Vote
Samoa is once again gearing up to hold elections on 29 August 2025, but many diasporic Samoans are keen to have their voices heard this time round.
Typically, general elections in Samoa are held every five years to elect Members of Parliament (MPs), who then form the government.
So why the early election this time?
Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa had warned that she would dissolve Parliament if her 2025/26 national budget was not approved. On 27 May 2025, Parliament voted down the budget by a margin of 34–16
Following the defeat, she formally advised the Head of State to dissolve Parliament—this was then motioned on 3 June 2025.
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What does this mean for voters?
The same requirements for eligibility to vote apply regardless of the time. Voters from other countries must come back to Samoa to finish their biometric registration by July 4, 2025, and Samoan citizens who are 21 years of age or older must register by then. The only way to vote is in person.…more
'It goes beyond just a home’: Why OWN IT is helping Māori and Pasifika families make homeownership a reality
For many Māori and Pasifika families, the dream of homeownership can feel just out of reach. But through Tāmaki Regeneration's OWN IT programme, that narrative is changing — with over 80% of its homeowners being Māori and Pasifika whānau, the programme is seeing real transformation, one family at a time.
Afoa Tevita Malolo, who works closely with whānau as part of the OWN IT team, says it’s their grounded approach that sets the programme apart.
“Our team are hands-on when supporting whānau to navigate the process and journey, and hold a deep understanding of this complex space,” says Malolo. “Our team are out on the ground in communities meeting people, and thus understand the barriers many Māori and Pasifika whānau experience in the housing market.”
Practical support to navigate the journey
With housing unaffordable for many despite years of savings, OWN IT offers real, practical support.
“OWN IT provides a range of support for whānau to navigate the journey towards homeownership,” says Malolo.…more
Moe Laga’s “Fetū x Fetu’u” Is a One-Night-Only Celestial Reckoning
Moe Laga, the revered performance artist, mother, healer and fearless fa’afafine voice from South Auckland, returns to the stage with Fetū x Fetu’u — a powerful solo work premiering for one night only as part of F.O.L.A. [AKL].
The piece was developed during Moe’s three-month ANIVA residency at Pātaka Museum in Porirua, supported by Creative New Zealand. It became a space for deep reflection and transformation.
“Fetū x Fetu’u is a solo performance work born out of my time as the ANIVA...Over three months, I was given space to reflect, grieve, and shed skin,” Moe says.
“This work is deeply personal, a constellation of stories, ancestors, curses, and blessings. It draws from my experiences as a Samoan fa’afafine born in Aotearoa, navigating the sacred and the profane, the celestial and the shadow. The title itself speaks to duality — Fetū (stars/light) and Fetu’u (curses/darkness). It came about because I needed a space where all of me could exist.”
Fetū x Fetu’u is presented in collaboration with Cypris Afakasi — a Māori and Samoan, Irakē interdisciplinary performance artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau.…more
Life Kitchens feed the community | Otara
Powered by LIFE Community, these kitchens have been serving thousands across Auckland with dignity, compassion, and hope for the past decade. With 10 kitchens running across the city, they provide more than just food – they create community and connection for families who might otherwise miss out.
Angelical Lall reflects on why she and Andrew continue this mahi:
“There is so much need out there, people are struggling like never before, financially, mentally and emotionally.…more
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - CAYZA
CAYZA
SAMOAN
RAPPER
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Introduce yourself -your ethnicity and where you grew up.
Talofa lava, my name is Caleb Fatialofa-Sapati, also known as CAYZA. I’m a proud full Samoan, born in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. My family hails from the villages of Lepa and Lalomanu in Upolu, and Fogapoa and Siufaga in Savai’i. I was raised in Maraenui, a suburb of Napier in Hawke’s Bay.
What was your journey into music like?
It’s been both a blessing and a humbling experience. The journey of building a full-time music career hasn’t been easy, but staying grounded in faith is what helped me through. There have been a lot of wins, but just as many lessons -each one teaching me something new and keeping me focused. That’s what makes me appreciate the journey even more.
How has your upbringing - both in a Samoan family and in Maraenui—shaped you as an artist and musician?
Growing up in a loving Samoan family - especially one blessed with the gift of music - shaped me deeply.…more
Kilikiti hits the Oval | Keeping it Fresh
Tokelau’s bringing kilikiti back and it’s serving island pride with a side of 'bowled him out'. We keeping it real fresh out on the oval.
Director : Shimpal Lelisi
Camera : Terence Muru
Sound : Marcus Lawson
Editor : Sefa Taouma
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - A.R.T
A.R.T
SAMOAN, TOKELAUAN & TONGAN
SINGERS
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Introduce yourselves and where you grew up?
We are A.R.T, (A)nastasia, (R)osetta & (T)-R3X. We grew up in Porirua, Wellington, and come from the beautiful island nations of Samoa, Tokelau & Tonga. We’ve been together since we were 11 & 12 years old and have stuck together ever since.
How was A.R.T Created?
What inspires you to make music?
BREAKING: Samoa in Turmoil-Prime Minister Moves to Dissolve Parliament
Fiame Naomi Mata‘afa Moves to Dissolve Parliament After Budget Defeat
Samoa is set to hold an early general election after Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata‘afa announced plans to dissolve Parliament, following the defeat of her Government’s 2025 Budget.
On Tuesday morning, the Budget was voted down 34–16, with two abstentions. The vote marked a decisive blow to Fiame’s minority Government and signalled a loss of confidence on the floor of Parliament.
The defeat comes months after a dramatic split in the ruling Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party. In January, Fiame removed Agriculture Minister and FAST party chairman La‘auli Leuatea Schmidt from Cabinet after he was charged in relation to criminal matters. The move triggered a deeper fracture, with three Cabinet ministers and 13 associate ministers ultimately removed.
La‘auli retaliated by ejecting Fiame and five ministers from FAST, leaving her isolated and leading a minority Government.
Despite surviving two leadership challenges earlier this year—one from opposition leader Tuila‘epa Sailele Malielegaoi and another from La‘auli—Fiame’s administration could not recover from the Budget defeat.…more
Will the injection into Disabilities Learning Support Budget make a dent in the damage done?
“Our children are falling through the cracks”: Māori and Pacific families left behind in broken disability support system
When Montoya’s son was first labelled “naughty” at school, she knew it wasn’t his behaviour that was the issue — it was the system.
“He was struggling. He was overwhelmed. And stimming was his way of coping,” she says. “But too many people, including educators, simply don’t understand what it means to be autistic, because they’ve never been taught.”
Like many Māori and Pacific whānau, Montoya has had to become the system — the speech therapist, the advocate, the support worker — while trying to hold her family together. Her son has been on the speech therapy waitlist for six years.
“One speech therapist for 30 schools is not good enough,” she says. “Families shouldn’t be forced to fill these gaps on their own when they are crying out for help.”
Her experience is not isolated.…more