Sapphire Tamalemai sings ‘Runnin' (Lose It All)’ by Naughty Boy ft. Beyoncé on The Voice
Born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand 16–year–old schoolgirl Sapphire Tamalemai and her family relocated to Australia after the deadly earthquakes in 2011. For Sapphire, it was an opportunity to pursue her musical dreams.
Her father, who was her number one fan, passed away in her arms from a heart attack just before she applied for The Voice.
He worked three jobs to support her music dreams and had always wanted her to apply for the show. Sapphire's mum and her sister were side of stage at her Blind Audition.
SONNY BILL WILLIAMS JOINS ANDREW JOHNS & THE NRL NINE TEAM TO DISCUSS HELPING OUT TOA SAMOA
Andrew Johns has lifted the lid on the conversation that led to a bid to coach the Samoan national team with brother Matthew and cross-code legend Sonny Bill Williams.
"For me I'm a proud Samoan, everyone knows that I'm a proud Pacific Islander, not just Samoan I'm proud of all the boys. I'm a really vocal man when it comes to us as a Pacific Nation, we represent so much on the field but we seem to lack that representation off it ... I'll be keen to help out where I can" - Sonny Bill Williams
Fāgogo - Aitu and Teine Sā
Apulu Uta'ile'uō Tu'u'u Mary Kalala Autagavaia breaks down some of the ideas behind Aitu/ atua in Samoan culture, and gives her perspective on the spiritual realm of the Teine Sā and the concept of the Va in Pacific epistemologies.
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Teine Sā trailer
Teine Sā - the ancient spirits of the Pacific are stirring. Revered and feared in equal measure, these sacred gods have crept back into the modern world to engage with five different women facing their own demons..
Teine Sā is a series of stories of modern day issues impacting Pacific women who look to the atua of the past for guidance.
Teine Sā are the ancient spirit women, with the ability to bless and curse in equal measure.
From the notorious goddess Telesa to the Hiama of the Solomon Islands, these tales of the unexpected take age-old stories on many twists and turns.
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#OPINION God's Plan - leaving the results of the next election "Up to the Lord"
Last night the Samoan head of State Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, revoked the results of the general election held on the 9th of April and has instructed the nation to vote again on the 21st of May due to the continued deadlock in Samoa (both parties are on 26 MPs each)
The leader of FAST, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa does not agree with this decision and has spoken out about actions that she calls wrong and unlawful - “We denounce this behaviour, and the misuse of resources and public officials to hold on to power. We must follow this process without diversion or trickery,” she said in a press briefing.
However, the caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has commended the Head of State for his decision to call a fresh election and said that his party leaves the results of the next election "Up to the Lord"
Journalist Va'ai Nah Folasa asks the question "What if Gods plan doesn't suit your own personal plan?"
Last week I wrote an article on Samoa's spiritual and constitutional foundation on God.…more
FAST party outraged by the Samoa Head of States decision to hold another election.
Watch Fiame Naomi Mata'afa's announcement in English from 11:10 mins on ...
Earlier today, the leaders of the two dominant political parties - Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, caretaker Prime Minister and leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) and Fiame Mata'afa Naomi, leader of the Fa'atuata i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) - met with the Head of State today to discuss the possibility of the country heading into another election.
The Head of State Afioga Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II is set to make an announcement later this evening.
Fiame went ahead with her own special announcement an hour ago - summary below:
* The Head of State Afioga Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II has requested another election and the caretaker Prime Minister has agreed to hold another one.…more
THE COOK ISLANDS TRAVEL BUBBLE IS OPEN FROM 17 MAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
Cover image photo credit: NZ Herald
More than a year after borders closed around the Pacific, the Cook Islands border will open to New Zealand from the 17th of May with no quarantine in either country!
It will only be open to people who have been resident in New Zealand for 14 consecutive days prior to travel.
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
* The border is open from the 17th May and Air New Zealand is offereng flights from Auckland to Rarotonga and return here. Check out Air New Zealand's website for flight schedules and bookings.
* No quarantine in either country. You will not be required to quarantine or self-isolate in the Cook Islands OR on your return to New Zealand.
* Quarantine free travel is between New Zealand and the Cook Islands only and you must have been resident in New Zealand for 14 consecutive days prior to travel.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - ELIZABETH KITE
Elizabeth Kite
Community Organiser / Founder of Tonga Youth Leaders / Pacific Youth Representative to the Commonwealth
Tonga
Elizabeth V Kite is the Founding CEO of Take The Lead (TTL), formerly known as Tonga Youth Leaders, a Non-Government Organization that focuses on empowering underrepresented groups in Tonga to lead in places of national decision making. TTL run’s various leadership programmes including the only annual mock parliament for young women and girls, She Leads Fale Alea ‘O Tonga.…more
POLYNESIANS IN THE 2021 NFL DRAFT
Cover photo credit: The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame
The 2021 NFL Draft was the 86th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible players for the 2021 NFL season. The draft was held in Cleveland from Thursday the 29th of April to Saturday 1st of May.
Five quarterbacks were selected in the first round including the first Polynesian player to be picked in this years draft - Zach Kapono Wilson - who is of Native Hawaiian heritage and was the #2 overall pick. The draft also marks the third time the first three picks (Lawrence, Wilson, and Lance) were Quarterbacks.
There are a total of nine players of Polynesian Heritage who were picked up in the 2021 NFL draft and 2 of them were in the Top 10 draft picks - get familiar with them below.
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Polynesian 2021 Draft Picks in order below:
Zach Kapono Wilson: Native Hawaiian - Quarterback
#2 pick overall, drafted by the New York Jets.…more
Manu Vatuvei reveals himself as sportsman facing drug charges
A well-known sportsman on methamphetamine charges can be named as former rugby league player Manu Vatuvei.
He has outed himself on Instagram, two days before his name suppression was due to lapse.
Vatuvei told followers he wanted them to hear directly from him that he was accused of possessing and importing the drug in 2019.
He denies the charges and is due to stand trial before a jury in October, alongside three other people.
"I'll be fighting my innocence for these charges," he said.
"I know there'll be a lot of questions that will be wanting answers but I've been advised by my legal team that's all I can talk about. So hopefully you can all respect that, and also can you please respect the privacy of my family while I go through this battle."
Vatuvei was declined name suppression by both the District and High Courts, despite his lawyer Greg Bradford suggesting he would be at risk of extreme hardship and his fair trial rights would suffer.…more
Outpouring of Grief and Love after Tonga Leiti's Association President Mr Polikalepo Kefu killed
Earlier today Cruella Tu’inukuafe, the Vice-President of Tonga Leitis Association released an official statement from the Tonga Leiti's Association to announce the passing of their President, Mr Polikalepo Kefu.
Official Statement from Tonga Leitis Association
On behalf of Tonga Leitis Association Patron, Hon. Salote Lupepau’u Tuita Taione and its members, it is with deep sorrow that I wish to inform you of the passing of our President, Mr. Polikalepo Kefu, today 1st May 2021.
Poli, as he has known to many of us, was a selfless humanitarian and a tireless advocate for the rights of those with diverse sexual orientatations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Tonga Police are currently investigating Poli's death and the circumstances surrounding it. It appears that Poli was a victim of a very violent attack. We vehemently hope that those responsible will be swiftly brought to justice.…more