AGP Executive Report

Pacific Showdown: Toa Sāmoa meet Tonga in a sold-out Rugby League World Cup clash on Sunday, with fans across the diaspora turning the fierce rivalry into a celebration of Pacific pride. Samoa’s 64–6 win over Papua New Guinea has set up the high-stakes match. Samoan Art: The Met’s “Tapa: Art of the Gift in Polynesia” opens November 2, showcasing bark-cloth traditions including Samoa’s siapo alongside works from across the Pacific. Inclusive Sport: Eight Samoan netball representatives received rainbow jerseys ahead of the Rainbow Games in Auckland, celebrating visibility and inclusion. Deaf Rugby: Rosita Simone of Afega is the sole Samoan selected for the World Barbarians Deaf Rugby team, heading to Japan for her first international competition.

Tapa and Siapo: The Met’s new exhibition, opening November 2, brings together 13 Polynesian bark-cloth works, including pieces from Samoa, and explores tapa’s role in ceremony and cultural diplomacy. Samoan Music: LEAO has won the Silver Scroll, marking the first win for a song performed entirely in Gagana Sāmoa. Pacific Film: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people across the region. Culture and Community: A new two-day Pasifika festival will showcase cultural pride, while a viral World Cup story celebrates a 130kg Samoan DJ who knows just when to drop Britney Spears’ “Toxic.”

Samoan Textile Arts: The Met’s “Tapa: Art of the Gift in Polynesia” opens November 2, showcasing bark cloth traditions from Samoa, Fiji, Futuna and Niue, including siapo. Music: LEAO has claimed the Silver Scroll with the first winning song performed entirely in Gagana Sāmoa. Film: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people across the region, with screenings in Samoa and films spotlighting women and younger generations. Toa Samoa: The team’s 64–6 win over Papua New Guinea sparked celebrations across Samoa and sets up a high-stakes World Cup clash with Tonga. Deaf Rugby: Samoa is making its first appearance at the World Rugby Deaf Competition in Japan, with former Manu Samoa winger Leaupepe Alesana Tuilagi coaching the team.

Samoan Music: A Samoan DJ is getting laughs for knowing exactly when to drop Britney Spears’ “Toxic.” World Cup Fever: Toa Samoa’s 64–6 win sparked celebrations in Apia and across the country, with fans gathering around big screens and a warrior on horseback carrying the team flag. Pacific Film: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival reached audiences in Samoa and across the region with screenings and talanoa on human rights, including films focused on women, motherhood and younger generations. Gagana Sāmoa: LEAO claimed a Silver Scroll, making history as the first winner with a fully Gagana Sāmoa entry.

Toa Samoa Fever: Fans took celebrations into Apia’s streets and across the country after Toa Samoa’s 64–6 win over Papua New Guinea, with a warrior on horseback carrying the team flag in Savai‘i. Pacific Spirit: The heavy defeat didn’t dampen the bond between Samoa and PNG: fans traded bilums for players’ gear, while post-match moments brought families and teams together. Samoan Music: LEAO’s Silver Scroll win made history as the first for a song entirely in Gagana Sāmoa. Film and Culture: More than 2,500 people across the Pacific joined the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, which included screenings in Samoa and films by Pacific creators.

Toa Samoa Fever: A 64–6 Rugby League World Cup win over Papua New Guinea sent fans into the streets across Samoa, with crowds gathering in Apia to cheer the team on big screens. Pacific Film: More than 2,500 people across the region took part in the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, which included free screenings in Samoa and films focused on women, motherhood and younger generations. Samoan-language Music: LEAO claimed a Silver Scroll with the first winning song performed entirely in Gagana Sāmoa.

Live Music & Rugby: K-pop, Robbie Williams and Foo Fighters concerts ruled out moving the sold-out Samoa–Tonga World Cup clash to Sydney’s larger Accor Stadium. Organisers kept the game in western Sydney, close to both teams’ fan bases. Samoan Music: LEAO’s Silver Scroll win marks a milestone: the first win for a song written entirely in Gagana Sāmoa. Pasifika Culture: A new two-day festival is set to showcase Pasifika cultural pride.

Fashion & Design: PNG designer Tabu Pelei Warupi has created the first jersey for the PNG Chiefs, weaving cultural storytelling into the team’s look. Samoan Music: LEAO won the Silver Scroll with the first song entirely in Gagana Sāmoa to take the award. Pacific Culture: A new two-day Pasifika festival will celebrate cultural pride, while Richard Parker’s AI-generated song rallies support for Toa Samoa.

Toa Samoa: Samoa stayed unbeaten at the Rugby League World Cup, thumping Papua New Guinea 64-6 in Port Moresby. The team now faces Tonga in a blockbuster Pacific showdown, with a semi-final place within reach. Samoan Music: LEAO won the Silver Scroll with the first winning song performed entirely in Gagana Sāmoa, marking a milestone for Samoan-language music. Netball: Samoa Netball received $150,000 to prepare for the 2027 World Cup.

Rugby League: Toa Samoa head into today’s Port Moresby clash with PNG after a record 78–4 win over France. The Kumuls are also coming off a strong opening win, setting up a major Pacific showdown. Samoan Music: LEAO has claimed the Silver Scroll with the first winning entry performed entirely in Gagana Sāmoa. Rugby Union: World Rugby’s chief is in Apia to work on resolving Samoa’s rugby dispute. Pacific Netball: Samoa are set to face a locally based Cook Islands team in the inaugural PacificAus Sports Netball Challenge in Brisbane next month.

Toa Samoa: After routing France 78-4, Samoa meet unbeaten Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby, where the hosts are riding a 42-18 opening win over Lebanon. Pacific Design: Papua New Guinean fashion designer Tabu Pelei Warupi has created the first PNG Chiefs jersey, drawing on cultural stories and identity. Samoan Music: LEAO’s Silver Scroll win marks a milestone for Gagana Sāmoa, with the first winning song performed entirely in the language. Young Talent: Fifteen-year-old goalkeeper Foaina Rachel Malae is the only locally based player in Samoa’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup squad.

Samoan Language Makes Music History: Aotearoa band LEAO won the APRA Silver Scroll for “LALELEI,” the first song written entirely in Gagana Sāmoa to take the award. The band dedicated the milestone to Pacific storytellers and generations of island voyagers. Toa Sāmoa in the World Cup: After crushing France 78–4, the men face Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Saturday. Brian To’o says he is honoured to play before PNG’s passionate fans. Samoa’s women meet Wales on Friday as both sides seek their first win. Young Samoan Talent: Goalkeeper Foaina Rachel Malae, the only locally based girl in Samoa’s FIFA U-17 squad, is representing the country in Morocco. Samoa opened with a 17–0 defeat to the United States. Cricket: Samoa’s U-19 women will face South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan in Group B at the 2027 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal.

Pasifika Festival: Music, food, crafts and a cultural parade are on the programme for Blacktown’s Pasifika Unity Festival on October 31 and November 1, celebrating the area’s Pacific communities, including Samoans. Samoan Music: Aotearoa band LEAO made history with “LALELEI,” the first song written entirely in Gagana Sāmoa to win the APRA Silver Scroll songwriting award. Regional Arts: Artists from eight Pacific countries and eastern Indonesia shared traditional music, crafts and performing arts through a cultural exchange in Yogyakarta, with collaborative works showcased at Vredeburg Fort Museum.

Rugby Governance: World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson is in Apia to meet Prime Minister La’auli Leuatea Schmidt and work toward resolving the split between two unions claiming control of Samoan rugby. Young Talent: Foaina Rachel Malae, 15, is the only locally based girl in Samoa’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup squad. Samoa lost its opener 17-0 to the United States, but Foaina’s journey from Lufilufi to the world stage is a milestone. Samoan Music: Aotearoa band LEAO made history by winning the APRA Silver Scroll for “LALELEI,” the first song written entirely in Gagana Sāmoa to take the award. Pasifika Culture: A two-day festival in Blacktown on October 31 and November 1 will celebrate Pacific music, food and traditions with performances, a parade and family activities. Cricket: Samoa has been drawn with South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan for the 2027 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal.

Samoan Music: Aotearoa band LEAO has made history, winning the APRA Silver Scroll for “LALELEI” — the first song written entirely in Gagana Sāmoa to take the prize. Singer David Feauai-Afaese dedicated the win to generations of Pacific storytellers. Pasifika Festival: Music, food and culture will take centre stage at Blacktown’s Pasifika Unity Festival on October 31 and November 1, with performances, a parade, markets and family activities celebrating the region’s Pacific communities, including Samoa.

Samoan Roots on Screen: Chef and MasterChef: The Professionals judge Monica Galetti reflected on growing up in Samoa, where family, gardening and fresh island produce helped shape her love of food. Music & Rugby: Samoan singer Richard Parker is using AI tools to create a rallying song for Toa Samoa, urging fans to bring their own ideas to the music. Pacific Arts: Samoan group LEAO made history with a top honour at the 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards, while the ceremony also marked a milestone for Gagana Samoa. Polynesian Revue: MANA returns to Las Vegas on October 23, telling Robert Louis Stevenson’s South Pacific journey through Polynesian dance, music and storytelling, including his final home in Samoa.