The Coconet TV

The Coconet TV emerged from a desire to create a vibrant, digital homeland for Pacific Islanders scattered across the globe. What began as a visionary idea has blossomed into the world's largest hub of Pacific Island content, a testament to the power of storytelling and community. The journey started with a simple yet profound realization by founder Lisa Taouma, a passionate storyteller and producer with a background in Pacific media. Having worked on the long-running magazine show 'Tagata Pasifika' and created the popular youth show 'Fresh', Taouma recognized a glaring void in the digital landscape for authentic, diverse, and accessible Pacific content. She envisioned a space where the rich tapestry of Pacific cultures, languages, and experiences could be celebrated and shared, not just within the islands, but with the vast diaspora and the world.

With funding from NZ On Air's Kickstart Digital Media fund, this vision took flight. The Coconet TV was born, not merely as a website, but as a virtual village, a gathering place for connection and conversation. It was a bold undertaking, aiming to build a universe for online Pacific storytelling from the ground up. The platform was designed to be a collaborative effort, inviting viewers to contribute their own videos, stories, and comments, weaving their own threads into the rich fabric of the Coconet. From its inception, the platform has been driven by a collective of Pacific film and video makers under the banner of Tikilounge Productions. This dynamic team of 'Coco creatives' has been instrumental in producing a wide array of content, from comedy skits and cooking shows to insightful documentaries and award-winning series. Celebrating its 10-year milestone in 2024, The Coconet TV stands as a proud beacon of Pacific identity, a platform that has not only sustained itself but has also become a crucial springboard for new talent, amplifying Pacific voices and ensuring their stories are told for generations to come.