Isoa Kavakimotu

08/11/2026

Now, you watch each other's backs over there in Australia.

27/10/2026

Ladies and gents, introducing: THE POLICY BREAKDOWN 🗳️

Want to find out where each political party stands on certain issues? What they've got on offer?

The Policy Breakdown is here to give you a quick rundown of what these parties are proposing, so you can make an informed choice when you vote.

First up, HEALTHCARE! 🏥

Let's compare what seven of New Zealand's political parties are proposing when it comes to looking after you and your whānau's hauora (health).

All information is sourced from official party policies and announcements.

📅 Research cut-off date: 27 October 2026.

No endorsements, only policies. Your vote, your choice. UP THE WAHS (always, of course 😂😂😂)

14/10/2026

First off, I'd just like to acknowledge Dorothy and the Tāmaki College students who stepped up and took ownership of the "Our Tāmaki, Our Voice" event last night.

Rev Joel had an idea, called up a few people, and we took it as far as we could. Then our rangatahi stepped up in a HUGE way.

Now, my own personal observations of the candidates...

Max Harris (Labour), Donald Mackenzie-Mayo (Greens), Oriini Kaipara (Te Pāti Māori), Kerrin Leoni (Labour – Tāmaki Makaurau), and Sacha Haskell (Opportunity Party) all came across well to varying degrees.

They did less of the "dancing around questions" that politicians tend to do, but this was probably because they only had 45–60 seconds to answer 😅 They were well-informed about their respective parties' policies and answered the questions while toeing the party line.

I'd say Max, Donald, and Oriini were the real standouts. Especially whenever Donald called Labour out (I think my bias is showing here 👀🤣).

James Christmas (ACT Party) is my bloody hero. He knew that this part of the Tāmaki electorate would lean more to the left, but he came through, answered the questions honestly, and COPPED THE HEAT.

This is why you've gotta have balls of steel, because anyone else could've easily been rattled. But he kept a cool head, stood by ACT's various policies, and took the heat for National too.

Mahesh Muralidhar (National) not being able to stay for the whole evening wasn't a good look for the Nats. I understand people have prior engagements. It is what it is. But fronting up and answering more of the questions our community and young people had prepared would've been a show of good faith.

But this was a good night for GI. A good night for the community. A good night for the part of the Tāmaki electorate that often feels forgotten by candidates (just look at how many times Brooke van Velden has hosted anything in GI 👀).

Shout out to the community for coming through, Matua Rodz, Uncle Nga, and the rest of our BBQ and hospo/manaaki crew.

A few of the Pālangi who live outside GI were like, "We don't ever get free food like this at our candidate events!" 🤣🤣🤣

One last thing from me: get registered and vote.

CHURRY 🥰

17/08/2026

What's YOUR Top 5 Tongan songs?

Happy Tongan Language Week 🥰🇹🇴🇹🇴🇹🇴

15/08/2026

Love you 'Otu

015/365

On this day 5 years ago, we got the call we were dreading to receive. My uncle 'Otuha'apai had passed away. Only a few days later, the whole country went into a Level 4 COVID Lockdown. To this day, I'm still resentful that I couldn't fulfill my duties to my tamai.

But life is unfair, all we can do is pick up the pieces and move forward.

'Otu was a humble and thoughtful man. He had this quiet charisma about him, and he would make you feel safe. He was one of the hardest working people I ever knew, and I learnt so much from him over the years.

Although 'Otu was quiet and reserved, he knew when to turn it on. That man could go from ninja (you didn't even know he was there) to centre of attention/mālie taha in the same breath.

This is 'Otu in action at my cousin Eileen's 16th birthday. He didn't care that my Dad was fahu, he was touched that one of his siblings was bestowed with that high honour. So when it was time to perform, he lit everyone up. Doing some moves I haven't seen since.

My Nana said out of all her children, 'Otu got the performance gene from their father (my grandfather/namesake). Apparently my grandfather was the mālie taha in 'Utungake, and 'Otu was just as mālie.

The 15th of August is your day forever, 'Otu. Until we meet again ❤️

📍 Mt Roskill, 2016

11/07/2026

As a photographer, I'm usually the one behind the camera getting these candid shots.

Also, if you told 17 year old Isoa that in 2026 I'd be helping out a Community Kapahaka group I would've looked at you like you grew a second head 🤣 It's funny how God takes you to places you never thought you'd go, and coolest thing, is that we're only getting started 😎

A couple years ago over some sh**ha, Hakopa Ripley shared with Juggernaut79 and I his vision for a community kapahaka group in East Auckland. A few key people helped awhi his vision in it's initial, the Carpenter whānau, Fabia, Matua Mauri (I'm sorry if I missed you).

Out of that came initially Puhia te Pu NOW Te Tūhononga Ki Rāwhiti and I am so proud to be playing a small part behind the scenes sorting out tees, creating content, and just being their hypeman, because who knew that by following my camera I'd end up being part of this wonderful rōpū 🥰

Also, special shout out to my brother Sam. That guy. I rolled my ankle on Thursday at work, and my body was slowly dying. Greatest assist ever. Love you my bro ❤️

Thank you Coach Dave Kyle 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 for the incredible shots. I thought I was able to dodge your camera, but I guess not 🤣🤣🤣

25/06/2026

The Fala Talks crew go in HEAVY tonight 🔥

We're live at 6pm tonight on the Plus64 YouTube channel and on Spotify 🙏🏾

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18n9YWnbr5/

Is Tonga still the "Kingdom of Ice" in 2026? We revisit the m**h crisis, its impact on families and communities, and what it might take to break the cycle.

We also ask what success looks like for Tongans and Pacific people today. Is it money, titles, and status, or can success be measured through faith, family, peace, and purpose?

It's also church conference season, with the cost of living continuing to bite, is it time to rethink how we gather and celebrate?

And we talk about The Big Sing, where thousands of students compete through music. Why are Pacific communities so musically strong, yet often missing from the top levels of choral competition?

Plus, an important debate: if you were a fruit, what fruit would you be? 🍍😂

Fala Talks. Thursday, 6pm. Plus64 YouTube and Spotify.