(UPBEAT PERCUSSIVE MUSIC) Captions by Sam Baker and Jessie Puru. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2025 - Noa'ia. Fakaalofa lahi atu ki a mutolu oti. Welcome to Tagata Pasifika. On the show today ` it's been a season to remember so far for Moana Pasifika as we talanoa with rising star Kyren Taumoefolau. In our Pacific News Wrap, our officials in the Solomon Islands announce more support in education. - (SPEAKS PIJIN) - And our rugby legends are honoured at the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame. - It's truly a blessing to be here. I'm honoured to be here, to be recognised. - And speaking of legends, we are staying with rugby, because joining us right now is Moana Pasifika's wonderful, fantastic winger. We have Kyren Taumoefolau. Good mornin to you, Kyren. - Good morning. Thanks for having me. - Honestly, it's awesome to meet you. I really enjoy watching you play. But how's the season going so far? - Yeah, it's, um... it's been a good ride for us Moana players, for the... just for us, just to... This is our best season yet we've had. We're still building. We've had a few good wins. Um, just coming back off the loss with the Blues, but looking to take our learnings into the next week against the Brumbies. - Yes, yes. No, you're gonna be playing the Brumbies this afternoon. But talk to me about what's going on in the camp. Cos last year, you won four games out of the whole season, and this year, three games so far. - Mm. - What seems to be the difference this time around? Obviously, you've got, you know, Ardie as the captain. You've joined the team as well. - Yeah. Oh, I think it's just we are all on the same page. I think we came together in pre-season with a clear mind, um, clear plan. Uh, we had` we've got really good leaders in our leadership group. We've got great coaches. And I think, all together, our main goal is to make that top six this year. Um, I think we're heading in that direction. I think that we just... we just keep stacking moments, keep building games and keep getting better. And I just think the best is yet to come. - Yeah. And you're one of the rising stars, my friend. Everyone's eyeing you out there. Like, is he going to continue on to maybe wear the black jersey one day, or maybe stay with the red and white? Cos you've also played for Tonga as well. - Mm. Oh, yeah, I was pretty` I was pretty fortunate to play for Tonga at such a young age ` um, just coming out of high school, playing for the Tonga Sevens squad. - Wow. - So it's, um, yeah, it's a pretty, pretty cool opportunity. I think my eligibility for Tonga finishes next year. - Yeah. - So whatever that takes me, um, yeah... it'll be good. - Will you be open to maybe one day wearing the black jersey? - Yeah. I think I'd be open to playing for the black jersey. I think, growing up as a kid in New Zealand with a Tongan dad, I think` and a New Zealand mum ` I think it's... be pretty proud if I could go out there, and if the opportunity came, I'd definitely take it with two hands. - Yeah. And staying with culture, I, you know, I do a bit of work for Moana Pasifika, and it's been awesome to see the culture. - Yeah. - You guys have a lotu, you sing before the game, and it's very much part of the team. Tell me how important that is for you guys to prepare for a match. - Yeah. It's awesome. I think, every morning before we even start our meetings or anything like that, we always start with a hymn and a lotu. It just brings the energy in, making sure that we keep the main thing, the main thing, but always put God at the start of our days, and we finish with God. I think it's very important. I just think our culture is the best in the comp with Moana, and I just think it's an awesome buy-in from our team. - Yeah, it must be awesome as well ` you're in a team where you have, like, legends, like, you know, Tana Umaga, who is your coach, and, you know, you're playing alongside Ardie Savea as well. - Yeah. Nah, it's awesome, man. I think growing up I used to look up to guys like Tana, even Julian Savea, and for them just to come` Uh, Tana as our coach ` awesome leader. He's awesome just to help even the young boys out. Helps the team, um, in the rugby sense as well, as well as off the field. And I just think, um, yeah, we've got a really good group, really good coaching staff, and it's awesome to have them here leading us in the right direction. - That's awesome. I look up to you because you're taller... - (LAUGHS) - ...but it is awesome once again to have you here. But I like the fact that you are building an awesome atmosphere at North Harbour Stadium with the fans. And I love seeing people and their dancing and, you know, some paint their faces and bodies even. - Yeah. - But how important is the fans for you and your team, especially when you're playing? - Yeah. Man, it's awesome. Like, going to the stadiums and seeing all the Pasifika people with our culture, eating island food and just singing and just enjoying themselves ` it's awesome to have their support, and I can feel it when we play. I think it takes us to that next level. It's, um... Every team that's come to North Harbour Stadium says that there's nothing like it, and it's so cool to just give back to our community where they've built us up, and now they're here to celebrate with us, so, nah, it's awesome. - And you've got the Brumbies, uh, this afternoon. How are you feeling? - Man, we're excited, eh ` really excited. Um, yeah, excited to play today. I think, um, last week against the Blues ` didn't front up at the first half physically. I think it's good that we had a good reviews on Monday, taking all the learnings, and` - What happens in the locker room in the half-time? What happens in there? - Um, it's pretty much just Tana telling us what's up. He's being honest and real and, um, what we need to do to be better, um, and we just stay task-focused. So whatever the next task is, that's us. And we've done the process during the week, so we know that if something slips up, we know how to get back into that ` assertive, yeah. - Yeah. Uh, of course, this weekend as well, uh, it's Easter. Any special occasion with you and your family? I know that Blenheim is home for you. But now you live here in Tamaki Makaurau to be close to the team. - Mm. - But what's Easter like for you? - Uh, Easter for me? Um, yeah, I'm in Auckland. I think my mum's flying up, um, to come watch the game. So I think on that Sunday, we'll probably go to church with her and celebrate with my mum. It'll be cool to have her here. - Yeah. - Yeah. It'll be awesome. - Fantastic. Well, we don't have Easter eggs here because I know you're on a strict diet and you've got to prepare well for the game, but malo 'aupito for joining us in the studio. - Malo. Appreciate you. - Malo 'aupito. 'Ofa lahi atu. Now, stay with us. When we come back, we have our Pacific News Wrap, and this week, the Cook Islands is experiencing a bumper visitor year so far. - We can expect to see the remainder of 2025 to be a record year. VOICEOVER: Waitoa Free Range Chicken, full of natural goodness and deliciousness. This looks great. but turns the whole family... Dad... ...cozy. What's happening? The meal that brings everyone together. I'm warm and cozy but slightly worried. I think this is one of those collective experiences. It's not reading my fingers. Just try face ID. I don't have any fingers. You know what. I actually feel close to you all. Waitoa Free Range Chicken. (UPBEAT PERCUSSIVE MUSIC) - Hafa adai, halo olgeta ` welcome back to Tagata Pasifika. It's time now for our news wrap from the region, thanks to our partners at Pasifika TV ` PCBL. This week, visitor numbers are up in the Cook Islands, while in the Solomon Islands, New Zealand continues to support local education. Here's Gladys Hartson. - New Zealand is set to launch a new education partnership with the Solomon Islands this year. Simon Tavake has this report. - After five years of supporting Solomon Islands through the Education Sector Support Programme, or ESSP, the New Zealand government is now planning a new education partnership with Solomon Islands. New Zealand's Deputy High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Rebecca Williams made the announcement during the official farewell ceremony for the ESSP on Wednesday. She said the new partnership will include direct budget support for the country's education sector, with a strong focus on improving learning outcomes. - (SPEAKS PIJIN) - SIBC TV understands New Zealand has played a significant role in strengthening the Solomon Islands education system over the past five years under ESSP. The programme officially concluded on Wednesday last week. Simon Tavake, SIBC TV. - Raising awareness around children's nutrition in Papua New Guinea is the focus of a new programme. Natasha Ovoi with this report. - Child stunting is a form of malnutrition that refers to a child's low height for their age, typically resulting from chronic or recurrent malnutrition, and it indicates a failure to reach their full-grown potential. Elaborating on the importance of this project, a secretary for the Department of Community Development and Religion, Jerry Ubase ` - The kind of nutritious food` We have abundance of food in Papua New Guinea. The issue is we don't necessarily know what is the right kind of food to take in order to build our cognitive capability. So with this kind of programme, that is now assisting mothers, assisting parents, at the community level to know the kind of food that they harvest in the garden, what is best for the nutrition to develop the child cognitive abilities. - The project currently focuses on eight provinces noted to have high cases of child malnutrition, with a six-year timeframe that now has just two years left. The project is currently ongoing in four provinces, these being Madang, Chimbu, Western Province and East New Britain Province. What prompted this project on is PNG ranking fourth in the world with the highest rate of child malnutrition. - And good news for Cook Islands tourism as numbers are on the rise. Nane Moetaua has more. - Our tourism numbers are expected to surpass those of 2019. While this is fantastic news for the industry, tourism officials are also focused on ensuring that future growth is managed sustainably and responsibly. - So, a solid start for us for 2025, and we can expect to see or forecasting to see the remainder of 2025 to be a record year. We just missed out in 2024 with our numbers against 2019 ` 171,000 visitors. We were short 500 visitors in 2024, but for 2025, we are looking to exceed those numbers this year. - In Niue, excitement is in the air with the return of its arts festival. Mere Satakala reports. - The Niue Arts Festival is making a return after a lapse of a few years. Minister for Social Services Honourable Sonya Talaga said they are working closely with community groups and artists on the island to ensure this year's event is a success. - I think it's going as well as could be expected. Joe, who's coordinating the festival, has done a fantastic job and is working closely with the different community groups and artists in the community, and I'm grateful for the partnerships that have been formed and everybody working together to ensure that the celebration is a success. - And finally, Fijiana's 15s coach is looking ahead to the team's international match against the Wallaroos on home soil. Raseva Rabo has more. - Vodafone Fijiana 15s coach Ioan Cunningham believes it is his duty to explore untapped rugby talent in the country, especially as he prepares the team for a busy period ahead. He says this is one reason he embraced the role wholeheartedly when selected to coach the side ` knowing the country's rich rugby history. Cunningham believes he is bringing something special to reignite the game like in the old days and elevate women's rugby in the country. He acknowledges that supporters play an important role in the team's journey, and looks forward to the nation's backing as they prepare to host the Wallaroos in a historic Test match next month. They will then begin preparations for the Women's Rugby World Cup, held in September in England. - The excitement I have around the talent that we have available to us is something that I'm really excited about. And it's such a great opportunity as a coach to be able to have that chance to, as I said, untap that potential the team has. - Ooh, anana. Well, don't mess with Fijiana, eh?. After the break, we're on the red carpet with some of our sports stars at the 2025 Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame. - Special, eh. You couldn't believe that you will be among the stars. You know, the former stars. Even when my wife was telling me and they sent me the email, I thought it was a prank. (UPBEAT PERCUSSIVE MUSIC) - Yadra vinaka and welcome back to Tagata Pasifika. The influence and impact of Pasifika players in rugby has grown over the past 20 years, thanks to pioneers like Tuifaasisina Bryan Williams. And now stars like Ardie Savea are raising the profile of the sport locally and internationally. Recently, rugby stars of the past, present and future gathered at Auckland's Eden Park to celebrate the 2025 Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame where Neueli Mauafu got to meet some of the new inductees. - Eden Park ` a stadium that holds many memories and milestones for Savae Laauli Michael Jones. - And pass. And the first try goes to Michael Jones, and don't they just wanna believe it, at Eden Park. - This time, Michael, or Iceman, as he was known by many, can add another milestone as he is inducted into this year's Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame. - I couldn't think of a better place for me personally. This ` the Garden of Eden is where my dreams came true. I lived my dreams playing` whether it was for Auckland, the Blues. I even played for my club Waitemata out here. But then of course, the All Blacks. Pasifika has given so much to this stadium. We've given our blood, sweat and tears for whatever jersey we're wearing. And so I think it's really appropriate. And again, this is the perfect setting for a night like tonight. - As well as Jones, a total of seven Pasifika rugby legends were inducted this year. This included former Black Fern halfback and 2002 Women's World Rugby Player Of The Year, Monique Hirovanaa... - It's truly a blessing to be here. I'm honoured to be here, to be recognised as the first IRB player of the year for Pasifika. It goes to show that rugby, women's rugby has come a long way to be recognised in everything we do. - ...former Flying Fijian flyhalf Seremaia Bai... - Special, eh. You couldn't believe that you'll be among the stars. You know, the former stars. To be here, it's really special. Even when my wife was telling me that they sent me the email, I thought it was a prank. No, but to be here, it's really special. - ...Ikale Tahi legend Malakai Alatini... (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS, CHEERING) - I can't explain how deep and happy in my whole body. And never know` I never know a day like this for me. Because a long time I finished. And then when they call me here, happy. - ...and former All Blacks and now Moana Pasifika coach, Faalogo Tana Umaga. - I think, like anyone, you probably wonder why I'm here and not someone else. And, you know, there's a lot of people that could be here, but, you know, like, I think it's for my family. I think it's great acknowledgement for the hard work that they've done in supporting me to get to where` you know, to achieve the things I've achieved. - And Willie O! He's there! - Former Wallaby Viliami Ofahengaue, who couldn't attend, was represented by his brother. And the late Fesola'i'va'aiga Tuigamala was also honoured on the night. - Obviously it's an honour for us family to be here for him. It's bittersweet as he's not here, but I'm truly humbled and honoured to be here and celebrated amongst all these amazing, talented Pasifika people. - The event is in its second year and aims to celebrate and honour the heroes that have put Pacific Islands rugby on the map. - We are now starting to really create waves, and the way Moana team's been going in the last couple of weeks is very exciting, you know? So for all our people, it's very uplifting. - San Francisco 49ers and NFL legend Seiuli Jesse Sapolu understands the importance of honouring Pasifika sporting excellence ` having set up the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame over a decade ago. - It's a big night for us to honour the greats of Pacific rugby. I think that's important. At the same time, acknowledge our present stars and hopefully we can inspire the future. And I said to Savae that we have a deeper history in rugby than we do in American football. But we need to acknowledge our stars here because that will help us with everything else. - Special awards were also presented on the night to highlight current players making their mark on the sport. The male and female Players Of The Year awards went to Manusina captain Masuisuimatama'ali'i Tauaua-Pauaraisa and Fijian Drua captain Tevita Ikanivere. While the male and female Breakthrough Player awards went to Black Ferns midfielder Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i Sylvia Brunt and Chiefs and All Blacks star Wallace Sititi. - It's overwhelming being here and, you know, just representing Samoa. You know, I'm a proud tama'itai Samoa. I carry myself, you know, as a very proud one. And yeah, just, you know, I thank everyone hosting this. It's really cool to see our people around tonight. - I think it's amazing. An amazing event. I was just telling the people in the front. I didn't believe it was this big of an event. So to be here, it is a privilege and big honour to be a part of Pasifika Rugby. - Definitely grateful to be here. It's a huge it's a huge privilege and honour to be here. And you know, those are the legends that we stand on. Their shoulders is who we stand on, and they paved the way for us. And it's just up to us now to sort of bring the next generation up as well. - It's pretty special, and it's` I still have no words. Just walking through the foyer and everything and seeing some legends from our homelands... It's really, really special to be a part of and just to be in the same room as them. - And connecting past and present generations of Pasifika rugby players is all parts of the Hall of Fame concept. (APPLAUSE) - I feel it's a waste of time having, you know, all the experience that we have and not being able to pass that on and help this next generation. Again, that's what we should be doing ` passing on our experiences. You know, we don't want them to make the same mistakes we did, but we also want them to enjoy and understand that, you know, if you work hard enough and you set goals and you focus, then, you know, anything is achievable. - Just, you know, young ladies are out there ` they know they can do the same thing. So I'm sure there'll be more Pasifika women. Like, to see more Cook Islanders out there, you know, participating and being recognised for outstanding efforts in the game. I think for Pasifika women, just don't give up on your dreams. If it's out there, you can go and grab it. Don't let obstacles stand in your way and just go for it. - Oh, congratulations. All the best. And it's awesome to see the new inductees. And it was nice to Inga again. Ofa lahi atu, dear brother. I wonder if they're going to have an award for those who give out the oranges. I might know somebody. Well, I'm off to look for some Easter eggs, but that is 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, manuia le Eseta ` happy Easter, Aotearoa. See you next week. Kia orana, e kia manuia. (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC) Captions by Sam Baker and Jessie Puru. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air.