(UPBEAT PERCUSSIVE MUSIC) Captions by Sam Baker. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2026 - Alii, fakaalofa lahi atu, and welcome to Tagata Pasifika. Also welcome back to Marama! - Thank you, JP. Good to be back in the studio with you. Well, let's have a look at what's on the show today. We chat with award-winning filmmaker Vea Mafile'o. - We need to upskill everyone fast to be able to have a seat at the table. - We meet the usos hoping to make a statement on the hospitality scene. - It's more about drinking responsibly now, and that's where I think we're gonna be heading. - And in our Pacific News Wrap this week, a memorial for Niue's World War I heroes. - Today is about bringing part of our history home. - Fakaaue lahi mahaki. But first to the region, where the 55th Pacific Islands Forum meeting has wrapped up in Palau. Countries discussed the critical issues which impact the region at the meeting. But this year, five leaders were missing. Political commentator Professor Steven Ratuva says it's cause for concern. - It looks like regionalism is beginning to unravel. And, of course, the geopolitical contestation, particularly between Taiwan and China, is having impact on how they influence the forum members and whether to attend or not. There are other internal issues as well, which are faced by individual countries, such as the Solomon Islands. - Back here now, and the living wage has increased from $28.95 per hour to $29.90 per hour for average wages. The living wage rate is voluntary, and living wage advocate Geoffrey Tuita says it's a little extra relief for families. - In extreme cases, families are not` having to choose between which bill to pay, um, whether it be electricity or rent. Um, we also know that the living wage can help families afford a few simple luxuries, um, or even put savings away for a rainy day. - And finally, whanau and leaders have gathered in Ngaruawahia for the annual Koroneihana of the reigning Maori monarch, Te Arikinui Nga Wai Hono i te Po, at Turangawaewae Marae. The week-long celebrations recognises the legacy of the Kingitanga movement, founded in the mid-1800s to foster peace and unite Maori under one leader during intertribal fighting around the motu. This year marks the second Koroneihana for Te Arikinui Kuini Nga Wai Hono i te Po, following her ascension as the Maori Queen. - To our talanoa now, and New Zealand goes to the polls in just two months' time on November the 7th, but this time, voters have to be enrolled by midnight on the 25th of October. It's all part of changes made by the government, and while it's set in stone, not everyone is happy. Joining us to give his thoughts on the change is Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono. Thank you for joining us on the show. Kia orana. - Kia orana. Well, I'm happy to be here, but of course not happy with these changes. - Exactly. So the deadline for voter registration has changed. What do you make of it? - Well, I mean, this is voter suppression by stealth. And so I would encourage our people to talk to our young people in particular. This will impact our young people, because we know that young people tend to be` tend to fall into that` that later voting period as well. And over half of our people are under the age of 25. So parents out there ` talk to your young people. Talk to all of our community. Make sure that they're enrolled. - The government say it was necessary to be able to process the results quicker. What do you say of that? Was it? - Oh, I just think that was just a lot of rot. I think they're trying to prevent people... from voting. What we need to be doing is making sure that you create a system so that everybody can participate, which is what was` which was what was happening in the last election as well, where you could actually enrol on the day. This is stopping that. And so in order to counter that, it's important for us to get out there and vote. - Was this the case of the coalition having the numbers and being able to railroad it through? - I think so. They looked at the potential of people that might not vote for them and thought, 'You know what? Let's just make it harder for them.' And they have made it harder for them. And I think of the` of those electorates where we have significant Pasifika populations, where people do tend to vote late as well ` around about 30% of Pasifika people in those electorates tend to vote late. So in the last election, it was around about 33% for Manurewa, 32% for Panmure-Otahuhu and 27% for Mangere. So if you're` if you're falling in those brackets, of those Pasifika voters, enrol now. Talk to young people, get them to enrol. - What do you think the impact will be in terms of disenfranchising voters, especially Pasifika, who have normally, perhaps, a registered late? - Um, well, it will disenfranchise them because we know that our people do vote late, particularly our young people. That's why it's incredibly important for us to get the message out. Um, I do` I do worry about our participation. I worry about the signal that this sends to our communities as well, that their voices don't matter, that this government is making it harder. We know that our people are working incredibly hard ` 9-to-5 jobs. And so often registering to vote is actually not top of mind for them as well. So it's important that we make these things easier. This government is not doing it. It's making it more difficult for our people to participate. - You've talked about the message getting out there quite a bit in terms of how many people know about this change. What are you hearing out there in the community? - What I'm hearing out there in the community is that this is all news to them. I think people assume that it'll be just like last time, and they could just rock up on the day and enrol and vote there and then. So that's why it's incredibly important for us to get the message out there that actually the rules have changed. It is harder to get` make sure that people get out there, talk to their communities, go to our schools, talk at our churches, make sure that people are registered to vote on October the 25th. In fact, do it right now if you can. It's important for us to all participate in our democracy. It's important for us to have our voices heard. We need to have strong Pasifika voices and people that support the Pasifika communities in our parliament. So make sure that you're heard. - And it's not the only change as well in terms of people who are prisoners as well. Tell us about that. - Well, prisoners are no longer allowed to vote. So they've had that right taken away from them as well. And again, it's just a pattern of behaviour from this government which has just been punching down on workers, punching down on Maori, undermining environmental protections. You know, you name it, they've done it. We've just gone completely backwards in this government. So the other thing I would encourage people to do is if you're like me and you want to change of government, register to vote and actually vote them out. - Meitaki ma'ata. Thank you very much, Teanau, for joining us on the show. - Meitaki ranuinui. - Well, stay with us. When we come back, we meet the usos and their new beverage. But next, filmmaker Vea Mafile'o on her storytelling journey. - We now have many creatives and many storytellers who have access to the right tools to be able to tell our stories. And, you know, we're literally only just beginning. Oh, I peed. That's so embarrassing. Well, it's kind of your fault. After kids, the pelvic floor can weaken, and then perimenopause reduces oestrogen. Here, I have a Poise. By the way, how'd you know that stuff? Well, I used to be a doctor. No, you didn't. $14.99 for all this. Save money. Move out of your parents place. It's more of a flatting sitch. Sooo... You're on your 'flatmates' phone plan? Your 'flatmates' fold your undies. VOICEOVER: Dinner done for $14.99. (UPBEAT PERCUSSIVE MUSIC) - Ia orana. Welcome back to Tagata Pasifika. Highly acclaimed filmmaker Vea Mafile'o collaborated on the new Lomu documentary, which opened in cinemas this week. - Described as raw, intimate and heart-wrenching, it's the latest in a number of projects she's released in the last couple of years. Soana 'Aholelei has the story. - If there's one thing Vea Mafile'o knows how to do, it's tell a Pasifika story, especially a Tongan one. - Malo 'aupito 'ofa. - The film director runs the Taro Patch. It's the centre of her creativity. - Office-y space where you can hire out. - Set up by Vea and her siblings to inspire independent and professional creators in the industry. It's located in South Auckland. - We function like an octopus. We can change environments, we can bring people in that we need to or what... respond to what's happening in the community. Like` But that's how we live our lives as Pasifika and stuff, because it's never just` we're never just this one person. Like, we are all these things, and I think that's the thing with this, is like, we're never actually quite sure what we're up to because we have plans, but then also other stuff comes up, and we're like, 'OK, fine, we'll figure it out. 'We'll figure out how to fund it. We just need to find the road.' - Number 11 ` Jonah Lomu. - The filmmaker co-directed the documentary Lomu. - (SPEAKS TONGAN) - And while he made things look effortless on the field, this documentary wasn't easy to make. - Coming into this, I knew that obviously his story is quite, uh, complicated, You know, it's not that Jonah himself is a complicated person, cos he's not. He was humble, and he was passionate about playing rugby, so I was really blessed because, um, his brother John, um... he has been collecting, like, all the home footage and all of his stuff for a number of years. I think he's just kind of been waiting for the right opportunity to be able to share these valuable, super valuable assets with the right person. - I wouldn't change anything. - From my perspective, there has been a lot of, um, raruraru around Jonah and his life and his judgement cast and a lot of things where, um, a lot of people were hurt and still hurting. We were able to bring that emotion into the film, which I was really grateful for. Hepi, his mum, became quite vital in the sense of the storytelling. And so I think for me, you know, this film is about, um, honouring mums and their role. - There's no denying how passionate Vea is with whatever projects she takes on, and she's just been recognised in the industry in a big way. She has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 2026. She says we need to take control of our narrative. - There's so many of us, and also we're like the last untapped region of the world from a Hollywood sense of stories. So if we don't have a seat at the table to make sure that our stories are being authentic, then the Hollywood is potentially gonna come in and do what Hollywood always does. So we need to upskill everyone fast to be able to have a seat at the table. - Vea, who once told stories for Tagata Pasifika over 10 years ago, now just wants to slow down a little and figure out what she wants to work on next. - We now have many creatives and many storytellers who have access to the right tools to be able to tell our stories. And, you know, we're literally only just beginning. - Malo mo e ngaue, Vea. And it's a great Father's Day present if you want to take your dad or husbands to watch it. To business now, and while drinking in Aotearoa remains a serious issue for our Pasifika community, a group of friends or 'usos' are taking a different approach. - That's right. They've created their own beer brand with a mission to promote responsible drinking. Ann-Tauilo Motuga has this story. - It's brotherhood in a bottle. For Samoans, 'uso' is more than just a word. It's a way of life. Now it's the idea that sits at the heart of a beer brand encouraging people to drink smart. - Uso is a really deep word. But on the surface, uso` majority of people understand that uso is brother, you know, brother to brother, male to male. It's also uso female to female. But for us uso goes deeper, where it's, you know, I have your back, you have mine. When I'm going through tough times or I'm going through a good time, it's always your usos that are there to support you. So it's really fitting when we used it as our brand name because that's who we are as people, as our Pasifika people as well, is we're always there for each other. - Founded by four usos last year, the New Zealand-made beer takes its inspiration from the Pacific, with a unique approach ` rather than targeting nightlife, Love Ioane says the focus is to pair with food and talanoa. - We've strategically partnered with restaurants and venues, so we talk to each venue, and we kind of scope out what they offer. If it's just a drinking, like, get pissed kind of venue, then no. If it's one where it's about food, about people coming in to enjoy, you know, conversations and enjoying socialising, then yes. - But with alcohol comes responsibility. In Aotearoa, although Pacific people are less likely to drink alcohol, 36% of those who do drink are hazardous drinkers. This is an issue the founders want to address through their campaigns. - The main thing that we must do as, you know, beer company owners or alcohol company, is keep pushing the awareness, which we are currently doing. This percentage that you've just stated ` it relates more to our` you know, our demographic. That's why I feel it's a strong responsibility of ours to come out and promote that different` that change in the mindset, that change in the message, cos only we can change us. - For customer Orene Aii, he sees alcohol consumption as a collective responsibility. - I think just having the ability to know within yourself, but also having your peers and the people that you're drinking with, um, to let you know when it is time to stop and when you've had enough. - Beyond liquor, Uso Beer is also about pouring into the community. - This is the people's beer, right? So we want to really drive that hard and let everyone know that they can be a part of this as well. We'll be crowdfunding on PledgeMe soon to allow people to come in and own a piece of Uso Beer. - As the company continues to grow, the biggest cheers isn't to the beer but to the usos who encourage others to drink smart. - People are becoming more aware of, you know, their drinking habits and are moving more towards non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic beverages. It's more about drinking responsibly now, and that's where I think we're gonna be heading in the near future. - Cheers, uso. I wonder if they are from 'Abia'. After the break, we have our Pacific News Wrap, and this week, students in Samoa get the anti-bullying message. - This has helped us, like, build our confidence by not doing what is wrong. But we have to respect each other that we could know how we feel, cos if we respect others, we have to respect ourself. (UPBEAT PERCUSSIVE MUSIC) - Fakaalofa lahi atu kia mutolu oti, and welcome back to Tagata Pasifika. Time now for our Pacific news from the region thanks to our partners at Pasifika TV ` PCBL. - This week, students in Samoa get the anti-bullying message, and Solomon Islands' education sector is encouraged to upskill in leadership roles. Gladys Hudson has more. - First to Niue, and personnel who served in World War I are honoured with memorial headstones. - Today is about bringing part of our history home. On the 13th of October 1915, 150 young Niuean men departed our shores aboard the steamship Te Anau to serve with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the First World War. They left their families, their villages and their homeland, not knowing what lay ahead. They were sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and members of our magafaoa. They were young Niuean men who answered the call to serve, carrying the name and spirits of Niue with them. - Today we honour the courage and the sacrifice of those who contributed to the pursuit of peace and security for future generations. - To Samoa, and a local high school promotes a campaign to combat bullying. - Bullying and fighting in schools and on the streets has become a serious concern. Thus, the LDS Church College at Pesega is pushing for safer and more respectful school environments by adopting an anti-bullying week. - You're not here to show how much strength you have, or show that you can boss everybody around. But you're here to learn, and to be able to show that you're willing to serve one another. - This has helped us build our confidence by not doing what is wrong. But we have to respect each other that we can know how we feel, cos if we respect others, we have to respect ourself. - We could tell the kids that it's OK to stand up for themselves and that everyone deserves to be, you know... to be all one and to tell everyone to stop bullying and just be kind, right? - To the Cook Islands now, where businesses are recognised for their support of culture and traditions. - The Ministry of Cultural Development acknowledge the Ariki sponsors of the Te Maeva Nui festival today, visiting each sponsor to personally thank them and present them with a gift of food. The four Ariki sponsors were CITC, Vodafone, Te Aponga Uira and the Bank of the Cook Islands. - On behalf of the staff, I'd like to thank you for your support in making sure that everyone gets into the spirit of the celebration, and you've done that beautifully over the last few years. - For us, that's the thing ` it's more than packing. It's looking out for our people, our communities, our values, for our generations to come. And we want to continue the support into the future. - To the Solomon Islands, and the education sector is encouraged to upskill during leadership workshops. - HCC Deputy Clerk Jefferson Patovaki says the induction is important in helping the council's education administration engage with school leaders and clarify their responsibilities. - So, today's session is to... uh, ensure that leaders, education leaders, and school leaders with HCC ` they understand that delineation of responsibilities. Where do they go to when they want to seek clarification from EP, and where do they go to to seek clarification for higher office or education` ministry of education? - We had to see education provider... must ensure that, um... their school leaders know what is expected of them, you know, in supporting the government implementing this... this policy. So, uh, it's coming in 2027. Uh, everybody needs to be prepared and including our powerful school leaders in Honiara as well. Yeah. - And finally to Fiji, where the government wants to see the iTaukei community create more business opportunities. - Sitiveni Rabuka says Indigenous economic empowerment must go beyond government grant access to lend and assistance programmes. - The objective must be economic participation, economic ownership, enterprise, investment, employment, productivity and wealth creation. - Vinaka vakalevu. Well, that's the end of our show. If you want to see any of our stories again or the latest Pacific news, go to tpplus.co.nz or TVNZ+. - For now, have a great weekend, Aotearoa. Happy Father's Day too! Ka kite. 'Ofa atu. - 'Ofa lahi atu. - # People of the sun # to our new home bound. # Tagata Pasifika, # born a people proud. # People of the sun... #