Savage and Josh Tatofi bring Pacific pride to Eden Park showdown

As Round Three of the Pacific Championships heats up for the Tonga XIII versus Kiwis clash at Eden Park this Sunday, two of the Pacific’s most celebrated artists are set to light up the stadium.

Aotearoa New Zealand’s Platinum Hip Hop icon, Savage, and Grammy-nominated Tongan soul star Josh Tatofi are planning an epic halftime show along with a concert at the end of the match.

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is buzzing with energy as the Kiwi Ferns prepare to face their biggest rivals, the Australian Jillaroos, on Sunday afternoon.

Tatofi is set to perform the Tongan national anthem, a monumental honour he describes as “a blessing”.

“It is my first time doing the Tongan national anthem,” he says in an interview with John Pulu on PMN Tonga. “And what an honour it is to be able to sing that song.”

The Hawaiian-born artist, with roots tracing back to Vaini in Tongatapu, sees the moment as more than just nerves. It’s an opportunity to embrace MMT pride.

Watch Josh Tatofi's full interview below

“It’s something that you don’t really plan in your career to do,” he says. “You either get the blessing to do so or you don’t. I feel super blessed to be able to do so, more excited than anything.”

Known for adding his Polynesian reggae twist to classic songs, Tatofi was asked if he would add that flavour to the anthem. He responded that he would stay faithful to the original arrangement.

“It’s important that I keep it as true as possible. My leo alone is enough of a difference…those iconic songs that represent your country should be sung as they are.”

Tatofi hinted that a “special guest" will join him “to pato (bang) on that stage” for the after-game concert.

Delivering Savage energy

Speaking with NiuFM’s The Morning Shack, South Auckland’s Sāmoan superstar, Savage, says he’s excited about headlining at Eden Park.

“Looking forward to it,” he says.”You’ve got Josh Tatofi who’s making huge waves in the world for the Poly community.

“It’s a massive achievement and blessing for me personally, it’s my first time performing at Eden Park. So it’s going to be another box ticked for me.”

Savage has a jam-packed afternoon ahead, performing during the double-header matches, at halftime, and again during the closing concert.

The Swing hitmaker, now based on the Gold Coast of Australia, promises a high-energy show filled with Pacific pride, adding that he has some surprise guests in store for the Auckland crowd.

“Obviously I’m a big Island guy, I always try to deliver big energy. So my job is to make sure that not only do I give as much energy to the crowd, but also to our players as well.

Listen to Savage and Josh Tatofi speaking on The Morning Shack below.

“The set that I’m doing before the game, I’ll be bringing on some friends of mine and I can't really say who, but I'll just say they are the most electric fire group in Aotearoa. Let’s go, baby!”

Despite the friendly rivalry between the Pacific nations, Savage carries love for all sides. When asked where his allegiance lies, he shared his connection to both Aotearoa and Sāmoa.

“That’s why I’ve got South Auckland tattooed on one foot and 685 tattooed on the other,” Savage says. ”One is to represent my heritage and the other where I grew up.

“At the end of the day, man, I’m Sāmoan through and through…but I have so much love and gratitude for growing up in South Auckland.”

Savage adds, “Bring the Sāmoan flags, man. It’s going to be a flag day. Bring any flag - Tonga, Kiwi, Niue, Warriors - let’s go.”

More than just a game

Both artists say that the event goes beyond sports. It’s about connection, pride, and mutual support.

Tatofi reflected on how grounded South Pacific Islanders are in their identity, citing their infectious high energy and the feeling of unity no matter where they are in the world.

“We have the best people you know, and I can say that wholeheartedly,” Tatofi says. I've travelled the world from east to west, west to Japan, down to the South Pacific.

I might be a little bit biased, but I've always felt that our spirit, our community, is just the best.

“Whether it's a sport or whether it's music or even if you're a baker or if you're an artist or you do art…It means a lot to people, even like myself, whether it's one person, 1,000 people or 100,000 people. It’s very important that we go out and support our people.

Gates open at 2.45pm . The Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos kicks off at 3.35pm, followed by the MMT XIII vs Kiwis at 6.05pm. Tickets for both games are available here.