Writer Taualofa Totu'a has put together a list of books by Pacific authors that we think your children and young people will love AND would also make great gifts - if you're looking for ideas for birthdays, achievements and more ... .

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For our imaginative kids 

My Gagana Samoa Series 1 - by Dahlia Malaeulu and illustrated by Darcy Solia 

All 3 stories in the first series: Malia Shares, Lagi Spies and Mase's Room

Dahlia released ‘Mila’s My Gagana Series 1’ in 2019 written for pre-school and junior primary school tamaiti. The colourful and engaging tusi faitau have gained more and more young readers since, encouraging the promotion and learning support of gagana Samoa for fanau and faiā`oga.

"Our aim was to create a rich literacy resource that reflects our tamaiti, develops gagana confidence and encourages the use of gagana amongst the first teachers in the lives of our tamaiti.…more

COVEN's Moe Laga on running away from home and finding her family.

"I don't have all the answers but I just base it off what I've been through and my survival, having to start life all over at 21, and as a woman." 

Moe Laga gets blazed and 30 minutes later sits down in the shower with comedian James Nokise to talk running away from home, her performance art and the responsibility of becoming a “queerant” to the COVEN ballroom house, a family of young queer POC.

“Motherhood is an art practice in a way,” says Moe. “When you think of mothers you think of them as creating something and I feel like that’s what artists naturally do. So I’m like, fuck my art practice, my art practice is my motherhood.” 

Features chicken and waffles from Peach’s Hot Chicken in Panmure, Auckland. 

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Eating Fried Chicken in the Shower is a podcast series where depressed alcoholic comedian James Nokise invites famous people into his mental health safe space, for a finger-licking chat about headspace and happiness.…more

Cover image L-R: MMA & City Kickboxing head coach/co-owner Eugene Bareman, NRL on Nine & Stan Sports presenter Sonny Bill Williams & Ginnen Group Sports agent/manager Zen Ginnen 

By Lefaoali'i Dion Enari 

When we watch sport, we can now see our athletes chanting our war cries, holding our flags and showcasing our traditional tattoo’s and hairdo’s. However, the sporting environment they are in is still very Western and palagi in nature.

Although we have high representation of Maori and Pasifika athletes throughout the sports arena, we are grossly underrepresented in non playing sporting roles. Many coaches, sports media and club boardrooms are formed without Maori & Pasifika people or community consultation.

We are seen internationally in sporting codes such as UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), Rugby Union, Rugby league and Boxing. However, the sports systems we are in, don’t always reflect us, as they were made without us. Sadder yet, several sporting organisations still continue to operate using our people as merely ‘physical labour’.…more

By Destiny Taulagi Momoiseā

I was one of the lucky ones.

You know the mums who absolutely love being a new mama, with the perfect baby who never cries, who breezes through their leaps and sleeps through the night by 6 weeks. A husband who adores you and your baby, who’s so hands on, he doesn’t let you do any night feeds. That was us, That IS us. A perfect family unit, the lucky ones.

I had the perfect baby, the perfect husband, and the perfect home.

Unfortunately, Postpartum Depression doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t give a shit if your baby is an angel, if your home is a haven of love and unicorns. It doesn’t.

My son was 6 months old when I started to feel really low, 7 months when the panic attacks started and 9 months when I finally told someone about it.…more

Debutant Super Rugby team Moana Pasifika will kick off the new Super Rugby Pacific 2022 competition on the 18th of February in a home-game against the Brumbies in what promises to be a wonderful celebration of music, colour and Pasifika culture at Mt Smart Stadium.  

The new Super Rugby team has unveiled its match schedule for the season following New Zealand Rugby’s confirmation of the draw 
 
In acknowledging the importance of their team for the Pasifika community, Moana Pasifika has paid tribute to all Pasifika essential and frontline workers – some of whom helped the team to announce their draw for next season (Video above) 

Moana Pasifika, coached by Aaron Mauger, will play 14 games, five of them at home at Mt Smart Stadium.  The Moana men will hit the road quickly after Round 1 as all teams head to Melbourne for a huge Super Round in Melbourne in Round 2.…more

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson joins James Corden on the 'Late, Late show' for a bit of Golf Cart Karaoke around Television City, with a little bit of conversation and a round of cocktails to cap it off.   

With the release of Sole3 Mio's 3rd studio album "Coming Home", journalist Mariner Fagaiava-Muller catches up with Moses and Amitai. (Pene is currently in Amsterdam)

The beloved trio's new album features a mix of contemporary hits and well-known classics and was recorded here in Auckland at Auckland's legendary Roundhead Studios.  

With the pandemic shutting down theatres and opera houses around the world - there was only one place for them to retreat to and that was home.  The album marks the first lot of new music since their multi-platinum certified 'A Very Merry Christmas' album.

The award winning Samoan opera group are known for their aiga oriented Pacific feel good vibes and the 12 track album features beautiful renditions of fan favourite tracks such as "Hallelujah", "Hold me while you wait" and more.

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Enjoy the chat with the guys above and listen to/purchase the album here 

via Radio New Zealand 

By Justin Latif, Local Democracy Reporter, 

Cover image by Tina Tiller - A group of young Pacific doctors have been utilising their social media savvy to promote the vaccine and debunk myths. 

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In an effort to get more Pacific people vaccinated, a group of doctors have taken to TikTok and Instagram to get the message out there.

Singing "vax-a-nation time come on" to the tune of 'Celebration' with a broom handle mic and her kitchen as a backdrop might not make Dr Vanisi Prescott TikTok-famous. But the way the Tongan doctor from Mt Roskill sees it, rejigging Kool and the Gang's classic 80s hit could just be what a vaccine hesitant person needs to see. And Prescott is not the only Auckland medical professional employing these tactics. Prescott is part of a small group of young Pacific doctors utilising their social media savvy and meagre spare time to promote the Covid vaccine and debunk myths.…more

KOULA TUITUPOU KUTU 

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA & MARKETING FOR THE MINISTRY FOR PACIFIC PEOPLES 

TONGAN  

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On Monday the 8th of November, the New Zealand Public Service Medals were awarded to ten people in a special presentation at the Governor General of New Zealands house.  The New Zealand Public Service Medal is awarded to public servants who have given meritorious service.  The medal recipients are people who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to New Zealand and New Zealanders, are exemplary, or a model for other public service employees, bring significant benefit to New Zealand or the public service and are exceptional and otherwise worthy of recognition.…more

Cover image above photo credit - Counties Manukau Health

A COVID-19 survivor is urging Pasifika to come forward and get vaccinated at a Mega Vax Pacific event at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland November 12th to 14th.

Tuala Tagaloa Tusani was hospitalised in September with the virus, and wants to prevent others from experiencing the same pain. "It felt like I was burning from the inside. Getting the vaccine will help keep our community out of hospital and prevent us from dying. Please bring your family and friends to this event to help protect us all against this disease.”

The Mega Vax Pacific event is being organised by the Pacific Leadership Forum (PLF) to help protect the Pasifika community that was hit hard by the Delta community outbreak that began in Auckland in August. PLF Chairman Pakilau Manase Lua is calling for all in the Auckland Pacific community to unite with one heart and one purpose, to get Pasifika vaccinated.

"We are facing a challenging task to engage and mobilise this last group of vaccine hesitant and vaccine resistant.…more