Samoan poet Tusiata Avia makes history winning the prestigious Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry
Acclaimed Samoan poet, performer and children's book writer, Tuisiata Avia has made history becoming the first Pacific woman to win the prestigious Mary and Peter Biggs Award for poetry in its 53 year history. The award carries prize money worth $10,000 and is part of the annual Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
We talk to her about her winning book 'The Savage Coloniser', representation and more here -
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What is The Savage Coloniser Book about and what drove you to write it?
Colonisation - particularly in the Pacific - and its LONG term effects on us. Racism (which is Colonisation's brother). They are the main themes - I also talk about illness, Covid, jealousy and a bit of sex for good measure lol These are things I have always felt strongly about.
How different is it to your other work?
I've been talking about these things - in slightly different ways - for years. This is my 4th book of poetry - in some ways. I think this is my strongest. I don't hide anything.…more
OUR PASIFIKA NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR AWARDS FINALISTS
Yesterday the New Zealander of the Year – Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa team announced the list of finalists for the prestigious awards. The six categories of the awards cut down their nominees to a final three, from a list of thousands of nominations.
Amongst the list of 18 finalists were 3 Pacific islanders. Aigagalefili Fepulea’i Tupua’i and Mataio Brown are finalists in Kiwibank's New Zealand Local Hero of the Year category. While Brianna Fruean is a finalist in The University of Canterbury’s Young New Zealander of the Year category.
We introduce you to your 3 Pacific finalists and how they're feeling about this monumental announcement.
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BRIANNA FRUEAN - Environmentalist and voice of Pacific Youth on climate change.
Finalist in The University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year - Te Matatahi o te Tau award
Brianna Fruean has been campaigning for climate justice for most of her life.…more
FIGHT NIGHT WITH JUNIOR FA - Pre Fight with the City Kickboxing Crew
It was the biggest boxing event in New Zealand history - Junior Fa vs Joseph Parker!
Both men are Pacific Islanders and from South Auckland. Both fighters in the Top 5 WBO rankings. Junior #5 and Joe #3.
We go behind the scenes on fight night with Junior Fa, Hemi 'The Heat' Ahio and the City Kickboxing Crew as the boys prepare to go to war.
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Director - Olly Coddington
Camera & Sound Operator - Hayden Aull
Editor - Tuki Laumea
PRIDE - PASIFIKA STORIES - MARINER FAGAIAVA-MULLER
Mariner Fagaiava-Muller
(He/Him)
Journalist/Grassroots Advocate/Producer
Samoa & Tonga
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Mariner Fagaiava-Muller is a young and vocal Pacific Islander who is passionate about people, culture, indigenous storytelling and youth advocacy. He is a current Journalist at TVNZ, using his passion of being a tusitala to narrate powerful truths. Mariner is proud to be South Auckland-born and bred, single mum-raised and Decile 1 schooled.
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If you could have the world's full attention, how would you introduce yourself?
You’d probably hear me before you see me. Either the classic hyena styles laugh or the pressure cooker silence meets asthma attack laugh - that’s me. My name is Mariner but everybody just calls me Maz. Born and raised in Māngere East. Strongly rooted however in the villages of Iva, Lepa and Saleaula in Samoa, and Nukunuku in Tonga.
What is “Pride” to you?
Pasifika peoples are inherently proud. We stand strong on the motherland we descend from, the shoulders of our giants, the stories of us navigating seas.…more
Church ministers have key role in sharing Covid-19 Vaccine message
Church leaders within the Pacific community have played an important role in spreading the health messages during the Covid-19 pandemic and we will need their support to endorse the benefits of vaccinations, says a leading Pacific doctor.
Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) member and General Practitioner at The Fono, Dr Natalie Hopoi, completed her Master’s in Public Health at the University of Auckland in 2018. Her thesis focused on the role that Samoan Methodist church ministers played in promoting health literacy within their congregation.
Dr Hopoi chose this topic because she was raised in a Samoan speaking Methodist church herself and knows the influence of church ministers in our community.
“The majority of Pacific people are Christian and rely on the messages received by their church ministers to make important health decisions for themselves and their families.”
As the world is dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Hopoi says it is important that our church ministers are fully informed about the Covid-19 health guidelines and are educated about the vaccines, which started rolling out in New Zealand last week.…more
Champions of the Pacific - Ken and Naitoa Ah Kuoi
RNZ Pacific's new sports show Champions of the Pacific premiered the first of their new weekly sports show. Check out the video above which looks at the rugby legacy of the Ah Kuoi family.
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Wellington Samoa Rugby Union President Ken Ah Kuoi remembers watching his dad play rugby in Samoa before he too began running around the fields of Apia barefoot with a ball under his arm.
Kiwis rugby league legend Fred Ah Kuoi is also on the family tree as well as a couple of ex Manu Samoa internationals.
Now settled in Wellington, Ken follows the fortunes of his son, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, who is about to begin his second year of Super Rugby with the Chiefs.
Although Ken, who still makes regular cameo appearances for the Marist St Pats Presidents team, reckons he'd still beat the Moana Pasifika lock in a foot-race.
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PRIDE - PASIFIKA STORIES - SHANEEL LAL
Shaneel Lal
(They/Them)
Activist/ Student/ Co-Founder of “End Conversion Therapy NZ”
Fiji
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Shaneel Lal is a multifaceted and intersectional activist. They have been vocal and influential in bringing to light various issues around racism, transphobia, indigenous land issues, systemic injustice and much more. Shaneel is a co-founder of the organisation “End Conversion Therapy NZ” and has been an avid voice around the need for a ban on Conversion Therapy. They’re currently a student at The University of Auckland, and on top of all that is actively educating people on social media on how to be more conscious citizens of humanity.
If you could have the world's attention, how would you introduce yourself?
I am many things, but deep down, I am a young person who wants to change the world. I do not wish to be protected. I want to be free. And I want the same for my people. A young person who has seen, felt, and experienced too many things that I shouldn’t have.…more
Life in Savaii for a kiwi Samoan
By guest writer Datia Wilson
It has been just under two years since I have returned to Savaii, to take care of my grandmother who has advanced dementia. Although raised in Savaii as a child with my brother and understanding aspects of Faasamoa, I had come over from NZ with an overseas mentality.
I had lived such an independent life in NZ, I remember thinking on our return I could still wear what I want, go out at whatever time and not really caring about others opinions. Oh boy, was I wrong! It only took a couple of firm conversations with my uncle (chief of our family) explaining how crucial it is I understand that I am now living in the village still upholding their traditional ways. With that comes the responsibility of being the face of the family and carrying the family’s reputation.…more
RNZ Pacific launches new sports show Champions of the Pacific
RNZ Pacific is launching a new sports show "Champions of the Pacific" next Wednesday.
RNZ Pacific Sports Journalist Talei Anderson and News Editor Koro Vaka'uta front up for a new weekly sports show to be broadcast across the Pacific via short wave radio, on RNZ National at 9:40pm on Wednesdays, on rnz.co.nz and as a podcast. Champions of the Pacific launches today, with a new episode every Wednesday.…more
PRIDE - PASIFIKA STORIES - Teneva Ropati
Teneva Ropati
(She/Her)
Student/Basketball Player
Samoa
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Teneva Ropati is a young Samoan woman from the villages of Taufusi and Vaivase. She was born in New Zealand and raised in West Auckland. Teneva is a passionate basketball player and on top of all this is proud to call herself “gay af”.
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If you could have the world's full attention, how would you introduce yourself?
My name is Teneva Ropati, I’m 20 years old, Samoan and gay af lol.
Is Pride month something that you personally celebrate?
Absolutely! I love the feeling I get seeing everyone be 100% themselves and not caring. Especially at Big Gay Out. I always feel so at home being around complete strangers. It’s odd but I understand it. I feel the most proud of our community during Pride month — and I’m pretty damn proud every other time of the year.
What has been your relationship with the phrase "coming out"? Was “coming out” a process you had to go through with your family?
Bittersweet is probably the best word to describe my experiences.…more