PMN and Sky join forces for ‘Ofa Atu Tonga

Pacific Media Network and Sky join forces for ‘Ofa Atu Tonga with commentary in Lea FakaTonga (Tongan Language)

Sky has long offered commentary in te reo Māori, and gagana Samoa, and this weekend will see a Tongan team from Pacific Media Network join the Sky Crew to call the history-making fundraising Super Rugby pre-season match between Moana Pasifika and the Gallagher Chiefs.

Marcus Kennedy, Sky Executive Producer for Sport, says, “It’s important to us to be as inclusive as we possibly can, so we’re absolutely delighted Don Mann and his team put their hand up to help us deliver lea Fakatonga commentary to complement our content. In the spirit of partnership, in the same way as Sky is donating their services to the match, the crew are lending us their considerable talent. We are very thankful for their support.”

Don Mann, CEO of Pacific Media Network stated today, “relationships are important in times of crisis which is why I didn’t hesitate when approached by Moana Pasifika CEO Pelenato Sakalia for Lea FakaTonga commentary.

“It’s the least we can do. PMN is proud to play our small part in providing Pacific language and cultural expertise for our good friends at Moana Pasifika and Sky.”

John Pulu and Caroline ‘Kalo’ Scott Matamua will join Sky commentators Tony Johnson, Mils Muliaina and Karl Te Nana on Friday February 4 from 6.30pm. They’ll all be encouraging Kiwis to dig deep for fāmili throughout Tonga and Aotearoa affected by the eruption and subsequent tsunami and John and Kalo will be sharing their significant expertise in the game.

PMN Tonga Host John Pulu says, “to provide commentary of Moana Pasifika in Lea FakaTonga (Tongan language) is greater than simply describing the game of rugby. We need unity at a time like this to bring our Kāinga (Tongan people) together and take a village approach to support those who have been hit hard with the eruption, the tsunami and Covid-19.

Caroline Scott Matamua reinforces John’s position, “Moana Pasifika is beyond the game, it is home, that's where all our hearts are filled up and come alive. This is the embodiment of our home, a natural gathering of our people playing for our people.”

The Super Rugby pre-season match is being broadcast live from Moana Pasifika’s home ground at Mt Smart Stadium, on Sky Sport 1, Sky Go and Sky Sport Now. The match will also be free to air on Prime. To donate to the ‘Ofa atu Tonga Fundraiser head to moanapasifika.co.nz/donate/.

ENDS

John Pulu

John, or JP, is from Holopeka, Ha‘apai and Kolomotu‘a – Nuku‘alofa, Kingdom of Tonga. John co-hosts Sunpix’s Tagata Pasifika on TVNZ and PMN Tonga on Pacific Media Network’s Radio 531pi. John is a graduate of AUT with a Bachelor of Communication Studies majoring in Television.

Caroline (Kalo) Scott F Matamua

Kalo is of Tongan descent of Moana peoples’ heritage, born in Neiafu Vava’u Tonga. She is a respected member of the PMN Tongan community and is currently an indigenous/Pacific communities and languages Research Assistant for Pacific Studies at The University of Auckland. Kalo has represented American Sāmoa and Niue in rugby league, as well as New Zealand and Tonga in tag football. To date, Kalo is the only woman to have coached the Tongan national women’s rugby league team and is the founder of Hakula Women’s rugby league team, and co-founder of the Auckland Rugby League Girl’s Grade.