Island Roots, Auckland Ways

Just us this week… with our last episode for… we don’t know how long.

Making Island Roots, Auckland Ways has been a labour of love. Even as recently as a few years ago, there were no podcasts that represented who we were as Pacific 20-somethings trying to find our way in the world. We hope this has been a safe space for you, as much it has for us. Until next time, alofa tele atu.

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This episode is sponsored by Diabetes NZ.

This week’s guests are Milan Moala & Susan Moala’eua.

Today is World Diabetes Day so Milan and Susan are breaking down a story we know is all too familiar for our aiga. The theme for this year’s Diabetes Action Month is ‘Don’t Sugar Coat Diabetes’. It’s important for y’all to know the symptoms, different types of diabetes there are and knowing there isn’t shame about living with this common condition.

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This week’s guest is Samoan singer and actor The Western Guide.

Boasting over 80-thousand TikTok followers, he’s all the rage with the kids after playing Demetrius in ‘Inky Pinky Ponky’. The Western Guide also has his hand in a successful country music career, while being heard daily on Niu FM’s night show. His warm, go-getter vibrations show no signs of slowing down.

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This week’s guest is Māori broadcaster and reo advocate Stacey Morrison.

We’d be here all day listing the TV and radio shows that our Stace has fronted, but she’s currently at Flava - back after launching the station 20 years ago. We take our chat even further to the What Now and Mai Time days. Above all, she is a proud wife and Mum. She lets us know there’s still time for us to create our dream families.

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This week’s guest is Tongan entrepreneur ‘Anau Mesui Henry.

Kava is shared ceremoniously across the Pacific but there haven’t quite been venues like Four Shells Kava Lounge to casually indulge in this cultural elixir. People can rock up on their own, in a group or gather on the fala.  ‘Anau, who co-owns the lounge, brings her kumete to our fala as we chat about her journey.

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This week’s guest is Tongan singer Elena.

At only 18, she has two Pacific Music Awards nominations and two festivals under her belt. Elena was supported into living her dreams by very loving parents, transitioning early out of high school and into tertiary study. Raised in Roskill, the Central Okalani sister is shaking up the R&B scene with her fresh energy.

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This week’s guest is Māori broadcaster and comedian TimProvise.

We’re picking that there is no other interviewer more researched and gifted with the gab like Tim is. From Clendon to basketball coach to teacher to breakfast radio host, he now lives a relatively quiet life on his tūrangawaewae. As host of video series Bakery Run, he’s also tasted his fair share in flakey goodness.

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This week’s guest is Tongan comedian Opeti Vaka.

He lives in Foxton, a rural town tucked away in Manawatū - where there’s more fish and chip shops than Islanders. He did his first stand-up show in 2018 and in 2019, won the Wellington Raw Comedy Quest. Until Opeti reaches a point where he can comfortably live off comedy mahi, the grind’s on for his family.

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This week’s guest is Samoan siapo maker Doron Semu.

Once a declining practice, the ancient Pacific artform of barkcloth is being revived. Doron travelled to the motherland, learnt diligently from knowledge holders and teaching others upon his return. He and Allyssa also share what it was like to be each other’s soa in receiving the pe’a/malu.

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This week’s guests are Filiva’a and Joseph from band Shepherds Reign.

This band was born out of a South Auckland garage, has travelled as far as Norway and received millions of views. Recently the most nominated act at the Pacific Music Awards, Fili & Joe look back on crafting their niche - sharing their talents with the world. Genius to perform the siva tau underneath some metal! 

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