Tuiloma Lina Samu

Guest writer

Tuiloma Lina Samu was born and bred in Mangere, of Samoan heritage and with an adult Tongan daughter. She is the New Zealand Human Rights Commission’s newly appointed Pasifika Human Rights Advisor.

Israel Folau has faced widespread criticism for his social media comments. Photo by Andrew Patron/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images

Dear Israel Folau – your unchristian comments hurt young, vulnerable Pasifika

Threatening misuse of the scripture is the biggest impediment to Pasifika Rainbow people being able to live our lives without fear, backlash and hatred.

By Tuiloma Lina Samu | 10th April, 2018

Our beautiful Tongan community was treated as criminal

Our beautiful Tongan community was treated as criminal

Aotearoa is home to the biggest Polynesian population on earth – a fact brought home to us all in high definition colour as the red sea of Mate Ma’a Tonga fans flooded the Rugby League World Cup in celebration. But for Pasifika Human Rights advisor and South Auckland local Tuiloma Lina Samu, it was a bittersweet moment.

By Tuiloma Lina Samu | 28th November, 2017