Tales from the Pasifika Bubbles

This weekend returning New Zealand citizens Utai’a Uaita Iona Levi and his wife Susana will get to embrace their family members for the first time in five months following a 14-day isolation stay in Rotorua. Whilst the public has become increasingly annoyed at the four people that have escaped managed isolation from different hotels around …

Samoan couple in isolation praise Sudima Hotel staff, but annoyed at escapes. Read More »

As New Zealand starts to settle back into some form of normality, the USA is still seeing daily cases of coronavirus increase. Grace and Joe Seko share with us their experience of living in a Covid-19 hot spot.  The couple and their six children live in San Francisco, which on March 16 became the first …

Samoan Family in San Francisco Share Covid-19 Experience Read More »

For this Tongan family of 10, lockdown in Otara has been ‘precious’ as they’ve reconnected and caught up on some much needed sleep. Dad Viliami (Langi), Mum Neta and their kids Manu (19), Asela (16), Bubba (12), Junior and Oli (11), Niasi (7), Marcell (4), Liami (1) and Chloe (3 months) are enjoying lockdown so …

Meet the Kefus Read More »

More than 18,800 kms away in South London, Samoan Nu Filo is sweating buckets whilst being put through his paces in an online zoom workout with SWET Fitness in Wellington. Nu, a former NZ Army soldier, moved to London at the end of January. The online fitness classes have helped him cope with the UK …

Online Fitness Classes Keep Nu Connected with Home Read More »

The COVID-19 lockdown has seen parents and caregivers around the country become masters of juggling parenting, work and now playing the role of ‘school teacher’ for their children.  South Auckland mother Maselina Tufuga says it’s taken a few weeks to get her son, 9-year-old Luke and her brother Lennox,  a Year 13 student at De …

Parents and Caregivers Master Lockdown ‘Juggling Act’ Read More »

Do Good Feel Good is a youth movement in South Auckland led by 17-24 years working to bring positive change for South Auckland youth.  Made up of nine SKWADS (Serving. Kindness. With. Acts And. Deeds), the Do Good Feel Good teams haven’t missed a beat during Covid-19 lockdown. Switching from face to face outreaches to Zoom …

Do Good Feel Good South Auckland Update Read More »

Metuisela runs a painting business, Roshan is a part-time music teacher and their kids Josua, 11 and Ariana, 8 are living in Level 3… off-the grid. This family traded life in the big city life and moved to the Karagahake Gorge three years ago. Although in lockdown, away from family and friends- they’ve been able …

Meet the Tuivavalagis Read More »