The Coconet TV

17/09/2026

Labour is proposing visa-free travel for citizens of Pacific Islands Forum countries, allowing eligible visitors to enter Aotearoa using an NZeTA for stays of up to three months.

Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni says the proposal would recognise the close connections between Aotearoa and its Pacific neighbours, and reduce the cost and burden faced by Pacific families travelling for events such as weddings, funerals and family gatherings.

The proposal comes as new Immigration New Zealand figures show the estimated number of people overstaying their visas has fallen overall, from 20,979 in 2025 to 19,153 as of July 2026. Pacific nationals make up around 26% of the current estimate.

Via RNZ

16/09/2026

FRESH! 🔥

Tune in this Saturday at 10AM, right here on The Coconet, for all the freshest, funniest and most talented events, artists and stories from across our community!

See you Saturday! 👀

16/09/2026

Start your morning with the sounds of Samoa! Award winning choir Signature Choir perform this medley of 'Faliu Le La,' and 'Filemu Pei O Le Lupe' at their 2023 concert at Spark Arena celebrating the sounds of Te-Moana-Nui 🌺

Mana Moana, an extraordinary musical convergence between Pasifika choir Signature Choir, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, graced the Spark Arena stage in an evening celebrating the sounds of Te-Moana-Nui In this opening number, Signature Choir sings a medley consisting of Samoan folk songs, '...

16/09/2026

‘A Quiet Place’ but make it Islander …. ‘A makua LOUD place’ 😂😂

From the movie film 'A QUIET PLACE', we give you every islander home known to man 'A MAKUA LOUD PLACE'

16/09/2026

Pacific excellence on the opera stage 🎶

Tongan tenor 'Filipe Manu' and Samoan/Niuean soprano 'Madison Nonoa' are taking two of the three lead roles in New Zealand Opera's new production of 'The Pearl Fishers.'

Both have built international careers across some of the world’s biggest opera stages, with Manu making history as the first Tongan to perform at London’s Royal Opera House, and Nonoa performing at major festivals and opera houses across Europe.

Now, they’re back in Aotearoa, leading a major production on home soil.

'The Pearl Fishers' opens in Auckland on September 23 before heading to Christchurch in October.

Read the full story here:

Two Pacific opera singers are taking centre stage in New Zealand Opera’s latest production, with Tongan tenor Filipe Manu and Pacific soprano Madison Nonoa leading the cast of The Pearl Fishers. Manu takes on the role of Nadir, while Nonoa stars as Léïla in the new production of Georges Bizet’...

15/09/2026

Ever tried making soup in the jungle? as Jesse and uncle Rasta make a delicious chicken soup using only ingredients from the plantations 😋

Can Jesse find fresh produce from the mountains of Samoa to cook up a pot of soup?

15/09/2026

Tara and Sophia Aumalesulu clasped their faces in shock when they learned they'd won this year's Kiwi Cover Song Contest.

Nine-year-old Sophia suggested her
aiga enter with a recording of ‘See What Love Can Do’ - best known in New Zealand thanks to a reggae cover by Annie Crummer and Herbs.

To score the top prize, the cover she recorded with 13-year-old Tara and their dad Ese beat almost 200 musical acts - including professionals.

Ese Aumalesulu, a blind musician, won the Pacific Arts - Creative New Zealand
Toa Awards in 2025, and has passed his musical genius on to his daughters. 🇼🇸

Full story: https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/music/music-is-our-language-auckland-family-trio-win-the-kiwi-cover-song-contest

15/09/2026

A special tribute to the late great Samoan designer Afa Ah Loo at New York Fashion Week.

Veronica Pomee wears a new design by Renée Cafaro Atelier, created in collaboration with Creative Pacific Foundation to honour Afa’s legacy and creative influence.

The look is part of Renée Cafaro Atelier’s new collection, The Alchemy, which explores transformation through global collaboration, craftsmanship and cultural exchange.

Cafaro says she felt “deeply honoured” to bring another designer’s culture and message to the New York runway, approaching the collaboration with “thoughtfulness and sensitivity” through the guidance of Creative Pacific co-founder Benjamin Powell.

A special moment for Pacific fashion, celebrating Afa Ah Loo’s legacy on the world stage. 🇼🇸✨

Read more about his incredible legacy here: https://www.thecoconet.tv/coco-talanoa/coco-news/remembering-afa-ah-loo/

15/09/2026

“We worked together as a team, and we just kept going - no matter what we kept going.” - SIONE ULUFONUA FATAUA, Tongan shipwreck survivor

In 1965, six Tongan teenagers were shipwrecked on the remote island of ‘Ata. They would survive for 15 months, relying on each other and working together to stay alive.

Their story is an extraordinary part of Pacific history, revealing the strength, determination and resilience of six young men who refused to give up.

‘Ata Boys Castaways NOW right here: https://www.thecoconet.tv/coco-docos/untold-pacific-history/untold-pacific-history-season-3-ata-island/

14/09/2026

We’re bringing you all the best bits from ‘Avondale's Whau Matariki Night Market’ in the 09!

We pulled up to the Avondale Whau Matariki Market! Catch us 'Keepin It Fresh' with all our 828 dale mates.