Join the cast and crew of 'Love; Mum'! Five mothers who meet at Mothers Anonymous navigate friendship and motherhood in this spectacular piece of Pacific theatre in Christchurch 🎭🌺 - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Fashion Shows.

Fierce, furious, and fabulously unforgiving, award-winning writer Tusiata Avia's play 'Savage Coloniser' is hitting stages around Aotearoa and the world in 2024. Red-sequinned dusky maidens train their sights on James Cook, Samoan school girls play an innocent game of patty-cake as they describe the atrocities on Nauru, and a Tour Guide offers instructions on how to be in a room full of white people. Following on from the internationally triumphant production of her play 'Wild Dogs Under My Skirt', FCC theatre company brings to ferocious life the acclaimed writer’s The Savage Coloniser Book, for which she became the first female Pasifika poet to take out the Ockham Award for poetry. Under the direction of award-winning Samoan director Anapela Polata’ivao, Avia’s unapologetic examination of race and racism is full of bold humour, courage, and lacerating truths: The Savage Coloniser Show is theatre that is as provocative as it is necessary “With characteristic savage and stylish wit, Avia holds the word-blade to our necks and presses with a relentless grace. At the end, you’ll feel your pulse anew.” - Selina Tusitala Marsh, NZ Poet Laureate Tickets for the Wellington season of the show as part of the Aotearoa Festival of the Arts 2024 are available here.

Robert George is a film artist of Cook Islands descent who explores expressions of imagery. Coconet caught up with him as he was presenting "Tonight I am the Winter Winds" outside the Basement Theatre in Aukilani. One of the reasons he wanted to do this presentation during Auckland Art Week was to bring his work outside of the art galleries where it usually sits. It is also a homage to the streams (the Waihorotiu stream and the taniwha Horotiu) which once ran freely in Central Aukilani. On for a week, people walking past coming from theatres on the way to the car park could experience the projection work, something out of the box to break up the day. On this night, Robert brought along musicians Tom Rodwell and Jef Henderson to play along to his imagery and what they created was a piece of spontaneous expression. Look out for more from Robert in the near future.   Suggested Links: Samoan Artist Recognised by the White House  Janet Lilo    

Legendary Pasifika theatre collective Pacific Underground revisits Dawn Raids 25 years on with Fresh new faces. We meet the Pasifika creatives behind this Play and get introduced to the story behind the show thats been pulling crowds. Dawn Raids is based in Central Auckland 1973. It follows Pacific Islanders as they deal with migration challenges, blatant racism and family struggles. Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Pacific Cabarets.

Vivian Hosking-Aue’s E V E alchemises the formation of a new and complete human through electric urban Pacific contemporary dance. We think and create as a voice. We instruct the ‘E V E’ gang to construct. We are dumb but realize the realities and elements of what we build. ‘E V E’ weaves through us, bullying the concepts for a whole new powerful human form to come to life.

Sau E Sive bring us another powerful show LALELEI! Which follows the myth of the Turtle and the Shark, which highlights a story of True Love in Samoan History.

"A poem about the hard lessons learned when tradition and language complicate our understanding of racism and discrimination, especially when it's your family/culture who's doing the teaching."  - All Def Poetry is a new channel brought to you by Russell Simmons - a world-renowned champion of the spoken word art form. Fresh, riveting, and featuring some of the best voices in the genre, All Def Poetry brings you the raw power of spoken word!  - #DaPoetryLounge #TerisaSiagatonu #Meauli #AllDefPoetry #Fresh  - SUGGESTED LINKS: Connect with Terisa Check more Creative Natives on The Coconet Check out the history of the Samoan Taualuga

"Mixtape" dance show which was a collaboration between Joash Fahitua and his partner Perri Exeter. A celebration of multi cultural fusion in the form of contemporary dance.

“Raiding the Dawn” is an original poem written and performed by south Auckland Poet Marina Alefosio at the Official New Zealand Government Apology for the Dawn Raids Ceremony, held at the Auckland Town Hall on August 1st 2021. The waking hour can be the most intimate time of a persons day, therefore it is a time when we are at our most vulnerable. With local Pasifika communities disproportionately and unfairly targeted during the dawn raids of the 1970's, Marina reflects on these traumatic events in a poem about that is as much about reconciliation as it is about the reclamation of time, identity and relationships.  It also serves to remind us of the past histories of Pasifika migrants to Aotearoa New Zealand while offering up hope for future generations to come. {{28254}} Marina Alefosio is an Aotearoa-born Sāmoan poet from the villages of Mulifanua, Leauva’a, Faleasiú and Falefa.  She has worked over a decade with the artforms of spoken word; hip hop and theatre and is passionate about using the arts as a way to serve her community with a focus on youth. She has performed both locally and internationally for varied events including TedX Auckland 2013; Nuyorican Poets Café New York 2012; Adelaide Fringe Festival 2016 and most recently at the Dawn Raids Apology Ceremony in Auckland 2021.  She was awarded two writers residencies with Banff Creative Arts Institute in Canada in 2019 and with Tautai Arts Trust in 2021 and has co-written 3 theatre shows with the Black Friars Theatre Company from 2018-2021. Follow Marina on Instagram, Linkedin

The closing performance of the Pacific Dance Festival 'Wahine Toa' collection was "West Meets South" by Losalia Milika Pusiaki West meets South is the acceptance of two worlds by mother and daughter, told in a form of a love story, where Tatuila, a chief from the South meets a beautiful princess from the West. His journey is depicted by Me’etupaki, faha’iula, tau’olunga and Takafalu (Queen Salotes Lakalaka)   Dancers: Tu'itupou Sili, Malia Pusiaki, 'Atu Vaiangina, Kelela Vaiangina, Chanelle Vaiangina,  Kerry 'Aluesi, Sinai Na'a, Tina Lo'aamanu, Saane Soafa, Jasmine Makahununiu, Peni Pepa, Mikey Manu, Jo Mana, Vili Pusiaki, Sefo Na'a, Soana Falahola 'aleva (contemporary dance choreographer), Milika & Siale (Tongan Traditional dance choreographers)

Check out the new video by the Queens of Polyswagg! 

We're Keepin It Fresh at the 2023 Pacific Music Awards! Host Seluvaia walks the red (or blue 🤨) carpet at the PMA's, talking to nominees and supporters, serving looks and more importantly, kava! 🥥🌺 - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Fashion Shows.

Take a stroll down memory lane as we give you the looks that ✨served✨ at the 2025 ASB Polyfest.

A ground-breaking live performance led by music and sound producer Anonymouz, 4 THA LUMANA’I finds the parallels between traditional Sāmoan customs and contemporary Hip Hop artforms.

We're Keepin It Fresh with Red Bulls '64 Bars' Live founded by South Auckland rapper David Dallas. Check out Aotearoa's emerging hip hop artists Diggy Dupe & Church Leon from the duo Church & AP.

It's all 685 on your speaker, 685 on your radio on the biggest stage at Polyfest!

Keeping it Fresh at ""Whats The Difference? 685 To The World” Get to know the characters on and off the theatre floor, hear their thoughts about Samoa born Samoans and Kiwi born Samoans, What's the difference? 685 to the world - Samoa mo Samoa! 🇼🇸🌺

Aaradhna has recently released a spoken word poetry piece, simply titled, "Aaradhna" "She's never afraid to walk alone, She doesn't need to be held, She is never scared, She gives me strength, Strength" Portraying a journey of self-discovery and empowerment and navigating the space between two worlds, Aaradhna delves into the emotions of longing, fear, courage, and the profound connection to one's inner strength and ancestral heritage.

"I'm glad that they felt me, that they felt the song ... that's what counts" CHATS WITH RADZ!  We caught up with the gorgeous Aaradhna at Promiseland after she opened Day 2. She talks about her Promiseland experience, new music and more with us here… Thank you Radzy ❤️

Check out this amazing kahiko performed by the wahine from the Academy of Hawaiian Arts at the 2015 Merrie Monarch Festival! Of the 2 main types of hula, Hula Kahiko is performed without modern instruments, using instead the oli (chant) by the kumu hula (hula master) and traditional instrumentation. Traditionally it is a male dance, but centuries ago women were introduced when the islands were at war and the men were away defending their kingdoms.

A dark side of Europe's past will be exposed by one of the state's hottest choreographers in the latest Australian Dance Theatre production. The history of human zoos was revealed to young dancer/choreographer Tom Fonua while touring in Germany, spawning a desire to tell the story on stage.

Sau E Siva are back with another hit! The Pasifika creatives and storytellers are taking their spin on the classic tale of Aladdin. Their version - 'Alatini' - adds an island flavour and original twist to help create Pasifika magic! We go behind the curtains with the stars and creators while also getting a glance at the incredible show. - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Pacific Cabarets. - SEASON 3 TICKETS BOOK HERE

The stunning voices of Sole Mio in Alofagia: Le Opera. Our fagogo - our legends told through this beautiful opera performance by tenor brothers, Pene and Amitai Pati, and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay – better known as SOLE MIO. Directed by Anapela Polata’ivao and choreographed by Tupua Tigafua, Alofagia: Le Opera is a mesmerising, new Pacific operatic storytelling! LE MAFUAAGA OLE MALIETOA - The origin of the Malietoa  All songs written by Poulima Salima 

Alofagia: Le Opera is a multisensory experience, featuring the powerful operatic voices of tenor brothers, Pene and Amitai Pati, and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay – better known as Sol3 Mio.  Directed by Anapela Polata’ivao and choreographed by Tupua Tigafua, Alofagia: Le Opera is a mesmerising, new Pacific opera. Weaving ancient Polynesian sounds and echoing a time when gods governed the sea, sky, air and fire, this Samoan opera is a rhythmic composition of tatau/malu* expressed through song and movement. MUA O - (Bear witness) All songs written by Poulima Salima 

The stunning voices of Sole Mio in Alofagia: Le Opera. Our fagogo - our legends told through this beautiful opera performance by tenor brothers, Pene and Amitai Pati, and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay – better known as SOLE MIO. Directed by Anapela Polata’ivao and choreographed by Tupua Tigafua, Alofagia: Le Opera is a mesmerising, new Pacific operatic storytelling! SAAFIAFIAAGA O SAVEASI'ULEO MA TAEMA (The forbidden love of Taema and Saveasiuleo)

The stunning voices of Sole Mio in Alofagia: Le Opera. Our fagogo - our legends told through this beautiful opera performance by tenor brothers, Pene and Amitai Pati, and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay – better known as SOLE MIO. Directed by Anapela Polata’ivao and choreographed by Tupua Tigafua, Alofagia: Le Opera is a mesmerising, new Pacific operatic storytelling! SAMOA I ANAMUA - The Samoa of Old   All songs written by Poulima Salima 

The stunning voices of Sole Mio in Alofagia: Le Opera. Our fagogo - our legends told through this beautiful opera performance by tenor brothers, Pene and Amitai Pati, and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay – better known as SOLE MIO. Directed by Anapela Polata’ivao and choreographed by Tupua Tigafua, Alofagia: Le Opera is a mesmerising, new Pacific operatic storytelling! TAGALOAALAGI - The endless freedom of heaven. PEAU O LE VASALOLOA - The ebb and flow of the ocean All songs written by Poulima Salima  PEAU O LE VASALOLOA - The ebb & flow of the ocean  All songs written by Poulima Salima 

The stunning voices of Sole Mio in Alofagia: Le Opera. Our fagogo - our legends told through this beautiful opera performance by tenor brothers, Pene and Amitai Pati, and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay – better known as SOLE MIO. Directed by Anapela Polata’ivao and choreographed by Tupua Tigafua, Alofagia: Le Opera is a mesmerising, new Pacific operatic storytelling! TU’UMULI ATU NAFANUA (Nafanua returns) All songs written by Poulima Salima 

This one’s a tearjerker! Iam lost his dad, Rodney, just a few months ago and says he can still hear him harmonizing with him on every song he sings. Rodney taught Iam music from a very young age and always wanted his son to try out for American Idol. Iam is so emotional in the room that he has trouble starting his song, dedicated to his dad.

Tahitian pop trio 'Amui' - Eva Ariitai, Ken Carlter and Vaheana Fernandez - entered the 'Eurovision France' competition at the beginning of the year with Ken's original Tahitian language song 'Maeva' They entered with over 700 applicants and made the Top 12 finals finishing 6th overall but 3rd with the public vote. Check out their Eurovision performance above.

How do you choose between faith and fame? It’s 1993 and in a church hall in Grey Lynn, good Samoan girls Stevie and Sing are about to form their band ANGELS and change their lives forever.  But will these BFFs remain the same when they have to choose between faith and fame? The play was part of Auckland Theatre Company's 'Next Big Thing' which is a 12 day festival of new talent featuring live music, new writing and fresh stories involving over 60 young performers, creators and crew. Keep an eye out on ATC's website for the 2017 round of auditions. Written By Tanya Muagututi’a and Joy Vaele Play Director: Lavinia 'Uhila

Talented Samoan singer Celestial Utai made her final appearance on The Voice Australia this week. She had initially gone through with fellow Samoan Jordan Tavita in the battles after Guy couldn't choose between the two, but eventually lost out when she had to sing for her life against Jordan Tavita and Emerson Alexander. Take a look back at her journey ...

Kia Mau Festival really said “Indigenous but make it ✨TU MEKE✨” serving mana moves where Tāngata Whenua & Moana artists pull up and show out.

AUĒ Dance Lab presents ... LAU LUMANAI (My Future). Auē Dance Lab are keepin it fresh through Pasifika dance, music, poetry and costuming as they embrace traditional Pasifika arts from the past and explore what Pasifika arts will look and sound like in the future. Featuring the AUĒ Dance Lab classes - URA TANE, URA VAINE, 'AKAMATA, GALUSINA and the Cook Islands Dance Collective, MANA. Choreography by Vivian Hosking-Aue, Kiana Maruaao, Peter Fiu, Numela Taavao and Robert Sanele.

'Ave' means 'take' in Samoan and this piece is a timeline of 6 Samoan women and their personal views on how one significant event left them feeling caught between 2 worlds. The 2017 Pacific Dance Festival launched with a showcase of new and recent works by five women choreographers, Ojeya Cruz Banks (Guam), Tepaeru-Ariki Lulu French (Cook Islands), Julia Mage’au Gray (Papua New Guinea), Losalio Milika Pusiaki (Tonga) and Tia Sagapolutele (Sāmoa).  "Tia Sagapolutele’s work, Ave is a force! Counterpointing the grace, awareness and sometimes awkardness of negotiating Sāmoan culture, its practices, stories and boundaries. An energising, heart thumping mash-up of siva Sāmoa, voguing, badass formations and brown girl magic!" Ema Tavola, (PIMPI Knows) Creative Director:  Ufitia Sagapolutele  Dancers:  Ezra Williams, Jonique Purcell, Semira Mariner, Maria Lealiiee, Chas Samoa, Lavender Ta'ale-Tuigamala Drummers:  Jireh Lalotoa-Peniata, Ankaramy Fepuleai

Beautiful opera sung in Samoan hits New Zealand stages! NZ Opera and Black Grace collab in this extraordinary first time operatic version of '(m)Orpheus' - A Greek tragedy set to Samoan lyrics and dance. Watch this all-star Pasifika cast tell this beautiful classic story in the language of their ancestors, with three Samoan opera singing brothers taking the stage together.

For the last 8 weeks our CoconetTV Digital Producer Faivaeselopepe Anric Sitanilei, has been joining with a cast and crew of nearly 75 young people learning, practising, singing and dancing as part of Sau E Siva Creatives latest production 'Manamea'. 'Manamea', meaning sweetheart in Samoan, is the title of Sau e Siva Creatives newest dance theatre show, marking their 10-year anniversary. Faivaeselopepe takes us behind the scenes as the team rehearse for the last few times leading up to their preview show on Wednesday 8th November and their opening night on Thursday 9th November. Congratulations to the founders, creative directors and choreographers of Sau E Siva Creatives - Troy Tu'ua, Idalene Ati, Italia Hunt, Leki Jackson-Bourke and Bob Epine Savea - on the 10 years of Pacific Excellence your shows have produced!

Behind the scenes making of the audio drama of "Wild Dogs Under My Skirt" Steaming pig and McDonald’s value meals. Palagi (white) boys and ruthless, authoritarian aunties. Jesus and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Hardcore Fa’a Samoa versus new New Zealand ways. Breathing provocative new life into the play’s examination and celebration of what it is to be a Samoan woman, Anapela Polata’ivao’s commanding direction introduces nuance, power and dramatic sophistication into Tusiata Avia’s deeply personal view of Pacific Island life and its sometimes uneasy collisions with New Zealand. In the wake of this unending colonial earthquake, six Samoan characters make their lives between two cultures: playing, gossiping, enduring, enforcing the patriarchal status quo and carving out powerful new identities. Vivid, passionate, and compelling, Wild Dogs Under My Skirt is also flush with humour and pure entertainment. “…moved me to tears of laughter and tears of sadness and even tears of fury…” - Radio New Zealand Live stage show of Wild Dogs Under My Skirt is touring to the South Island in 2021. See tourmakers.co.nz for more details. . Written by Tusiata Avia Directed by Anapela Polata'ivao

Beyonce - Grown Women: FRESH STYLE ! We bring you the POLY version of Beyonce's song Grwon Women.

“Siva explodes from the collision of the past and future, capturing our common beauty, our shared history and divine difference. It is more than a celebration of the past - with our fears arrested, it is about rushing headlong into the future.” – Neil Ieremia