Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 1

“Because organised crime does not grow in the light. It grows where warning signs are ignored, where communities stay silent, and where vulnerable young people can be pulled toward pathways that change lives forever.” Doris Tufilau 

Social media has erupted across Samoan and wider Pasifika communities following the shocking fatal shooting of an Australian man in Ho Chi Minh City, allegedly carried out by two Samoan nationals.

Many online expressed heartbreak, disbelief and concern for young Pacific people being influenced by criminal networks overseas.

Comments across social media range from shock, to concer, to outrage. 

According to Vietnamese police, the shooting took place on the evening of May 21 outside Cee’f Restaurant in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

Authorities say two armed suspects approached a group after dinner and opened fire. Australian national Lemalu Lorenzo Tovia, 25, died after being shot twice, while another Australian citizen, Sauni Sam, 27, was critically injured and remains in hospital.

Police allege the suspects were 27-year-old Vaa Vaa, accused of carrying out the shooting, and 23-year-old Tafia Steve, who allegedly acted as an accomplice.…more

“Samoa is in my blood, in my music, and in my spirit.”: Jerome Grey returns home for historic Independence celebrations

For the first time in more than a decade, legendary Samoan entertainer and composer Jerome Fa'anana Grey is returning home to Samoa, joining the nation’s 64th Independence celebrations in what many are calling a deeply emotional full-circle moment.

Best known as the writer of the iconic song We Are Samoa, Grey will return to Samoa this June for his first visit since 2012, performing during national festivities that celebrate Samoan identity, resilience and cultural pride.

Now approaching his 80th birthday in 2027, Grey says the journey is about far more than music.

“At this stage of my life, I find myself looking back to my roots,” he shared in an exclusive Q+A.

“I wanted to come home to see family and old friends, revisit the places where I grew up and went to school, and spend time honoring my parents at their resting place.…more

“This is for our people, by our people. That’s something that’s been missing in museums for far too long”

A new digital display at the National Maritime Museum is placing contemporary Pasifika voices at the centre of one of the world’s most visited cultural institutions. Launched on 1st May 2026 in the museum’s 'Pacific Encounters' gallery, 'Pasifika Now' showcases powerful photography by young artists from across Te Moananui-a-Kiwa and its global diaspora.

At its heart, the exhibition is about visibility, ownership, and perspective. It brings together island landscapes, intimate portraits, moments of celebration, and everyday life, offering a lived and self-determined view of Pacific identity in the present day.

A Pacific lens on contemporary life

Rather than framing the Pacific through historical or colonial collections, Pasifika Now centres the voices of those who live it. The photographs connect past and present, highlighting how history continues to shape Pacific communities while also celebrating resilience, creativity, and cultural strength.

The work directly challenges long-standing stereotypes that have often defined Pacific peoples in European museum spaces.…more

“The only thing that is saving us is the alofa of our big family but many of them are also in social housing and struggling hard. Where is this imaginary place we are supposed to live now with rents going up?” - Ataliisi Johnson on Housing Reform

“People aren’t in social housing because they’ve chosen an easy ride. They’re there because rents are unaffordable, wages haven’t kept up, and this Government has made the housing crisis worse.” — Kieran McAnulty

Originally posted by RNZ

A Tongan courier driver was allegedly murdered by a US-based hitman after Customs intercepted 18kg of cocaine and firearms police believe were linked to an international organised crime syndicate.

The killing followed a series of shootings across South Auckland, with the courier driver's son one of the targets, police believe.

RNZ earlier revealed Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi is believed to have been sent to New Zealand by an organised criminal group based in the US to carry out a killing. He is jointly charged with two others of killing Tuipulotu Vi in August 2024. Vi was not involved in the drug world.

The homicide investigation, dubbed Operation Block, is linked to Operation Mexted, a joint investigation by the National Organised Crime Group (NOCG) and Customs, which targeted a transnational organised criminal cell.

RNZ has obtained a court document which reveals the police allegations regarding Operation Block. There are five defendants in total who have all been charged with participating in an organised criminal group.…more

Story via RNZ

The moment Isabel Drollet Macdonald stepped inside a plane, on an aircraft that was flown by none other than her dad, she knew that the pilot's life was meant for her.

"It was just one of the little scenic flights," Macdonald said.

"But it was just very inspiring to see the world from a pilot's eyes. I was probably eight or nine years old, but that was the start of it."

At just 23 years old, Macdonald is set to make history as Air Rarotonga's first-ever female pilot.

"My mum travelled a lot for work … and I think, I really do like the idea of travelling around the world. And why not be a pilot? I mean, it's one of the coolest jobs in my opinion.

"Once you take off, there's an unmatched feeling of just weight being lifted off your shoulders, of your whole entire body, actually.

"It's just an amazing thought that something so heavy, man-made, is flying in the air.…more

First Published on RNZ

Migrants applying for citizenship in New Zealand will have to pass a new multi-choice test under a government initiative to kick in late next year.

Applicants will be quizzed in person on the "responsibilities and privileges" of citizenship, covering topics like the Bill of Rights Act, voting rights and the structure of government.

They will need at least 75 percent of questions correct to pass.

Applicants currently only need to sign a form saying they understand these things. They must also meet other requirements regarding residency, good character and English skills.

Announcing the test, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden - who's also an ACT MP - said the move would strengthen what it meant to be a citizen of New Zealand.

"People seeking citizenship should understand New Zealanders believe in certain rights, like freedom of speech, or that no one person or group is above the law."

Other proposed question topics included human rights, certain criminal offences, democratic principles, and travel to and from New Zealand.…more

Jetstar is set to launch its first-ever direct service between Brisbane and Rarotonga on May 18, 2026, marking a major boost for Pacific travel.

The new route will operate three times a week, offering a low-cost, non-stop connection to one of the South Pacific’s most popular island destinations. The service will add more than 50,000 seats annually and will be operated on Jetstar’s A321neo LR aircraft.

The milestone expands Jetstar’s Pacific network, building on its Sydney to Rarotonga route launched in 2023. The airline remains the only carrier offering direct flights from both Brisbane and Sydney to Rarotonga.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown welcomed the announcement, highlighting the importance of tourism to the nation’s economy.

“Tourism is the backbone of the Cook Island’s economy, contributing approximately 75 per cent of the country’s GDP. The new services from Jetstar will provide a major boost to our tourism sector and the financial impact for local tourism operators and the nation will be positive.…more

Respected educator and national leader Afioga Gatoloaifaana Tilianamua Afamasaga has passed away, with her family sharing the news publicly.

According to loved ones, she died peacefully on the morning of 23 April, surrounded by her husband Toomata Tua Afamasaga, their children, grandchildren, and close relatives. While she was widely recognised for her work, she is also being remembered as a deeply devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and mentor to many.

Born on 5 May 1947, Afamasaga devoted over 50 years to strengthening education in Samoa and across the Pacific. Her studies took her from Samoa College to Hamilton Girls’ High School in New Zealand, and later to Christchurch Teachers College, where she completed her teaching diploma in 1971. She continued her academic journey at Macquarie University in Australia, earning qualifications in education including a Master’s in Teacher Education.

She began teaching at Samoa College and Vaipouli College, before moving into influential leadership roles that helped shape Samoa’s education system.…more