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RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Running the show: The youngsters behind the scenes at the Pacific Mini Games
10-year-old photographer, Yoshi. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Coco Lance As the Pacific Mini Games heads towards to its closing ceremony, the spotlight remains firmly on the athletes, teams, and the sporting achievements making headlines across the region. But behind the scenes, an unexpected group has been playing a key role in making the Games a success - Palau's young people. RNZ Pacific caught up with a few of the youngsters to see how things have been going so far. One standout is 10-year-old Yoshi, a local Palauan who has taken on one of the most important jobs at any event: photography. The ten-year-old's approach is simple; he loves capturing moments that "make people happy". "So, my name is Yoshi. I'm from Palau. My work here is as a photographer," he said. Yoshi has been working since the opening ceremony, covering events with his uncle's camera. "I take the photos and my uncle edits them. When I'm older, I want to be a photographer, but first I need an editor that isn't my uncle." What draws him to photography? "Because I could, like…it makes people happy, and I like to make people happy, and it's cool." He is using a fairly large, complicated camera, which he hadn't had much previous experience using. But he insisted it is not as hard as it might look. "I don't think it's that hard to use…and, I've used it ever since the opening ceremony. What do I think of my photos? I think they're good; I think they're bad. I don't really know," he shrugged. Yoshi showing Team Vanuatu his work Photo: RNZ Pacific/Coco Lance Will we see Yoshi at the Games one day? "Yeah, yeah, yeah," he said. "My favourite sport is swimming. And I really want to try skiing… I haven't skied before… I don't have a favourite athlete, because all of them are my favourites." Is taking photos a big responsibility for him? He thought about it for a moment. "Yes." But he's handling it all like a pro. Tadashi the police officer Photo: c Tidashi the police officer Photo: James Nokise Thirteen-year old Tadashi has been under the pump for the entirety of the Games, stepping up to the plate as a police officer. Proudly repping his police vest, Tadashi said the venture is all about keeping athletes, spectators, and visitors safe and comfortable. "My job is to protect the athletes and other people who are here to come and watch the games," he said. "To make them feel safe and comfortable and [so] no arguments happen here at the Games." His daily routine involves patrolling the event grounds, guiding cars, driving carts, and keeping an eye on any shenanigans. "It's pretty fun. It's a pretty cool experience… no crazy things have happened so far," he laughed. He will be on duty right up until the closing ceremony, which is expected to be busy, and therefore strenuous. "It can be fun; it can also be a bit stressful too," he said. When asked if his future career is aligned with his current role, Tadashi is sure about becoming an officer. "Yes, I do want to be a police officer," he said. "Because you want to protect people and keep them safe. My family is very proud of me for helping protect everybody here… I have made them proud." Delanie Termeteet hosting 'Around the Island' Photo: Around the Island/YouTube Delaney Termeteet, 19-years old, has been a stand-out at the Pacific Mini Games. A Palauan local, she has captured attention across the region as host of The Daily Highlights , a local programme bringing daily coverage of the Games to viewers in Palau and across the region. "This is the first time I've done anything or contributed to anything this large," Termeteet said. Before the Games, she interned as a host on All Around the Island , a local show focused on youth and community events. However, hosting a regional broadcast watched by thousands has been a considerable leap in her career. "It's quite intense, and at times it's a little scary, but knowing myself and what I'm capable of… it's been quite an experience," she said. Termeteet's work is part of a broader effort led by Palauan youth and student media workers who have teamed up with experienced professionals to produce daily coverage. The team do not have access to a formal studio, and have instead opted to transform a training room at the local Palau Community College into a makeshift broadcast hub. The room is complete with cameras, monitors, and some tech equipment. "This is the first time the media in Palau has done something this large," Termeteet said. While it has all been quite the experience, with coverage of the Games remaining intense and fast-paced, Termeteet has chosen to soak in every moment. "Stepping outside your comfort zone… is always the best experience possible," she said. "Every single role, whether small or big, contributes to the much larger picture. Without that small role, that picture wouldn't be a masterpiece," she said. Teah, Ayami, Mizuki and Rico Photo: RNZ Pacifc/Coco Lance Nine-year-olds Teah, Ayami, and Rico, along with 10-year-old Mizuki, are among the youngest volunteers in Koror. And they've been hard at work behind the scenes at the swimming events. Over several days, the energetic team have been running up and down the swim aisles, helping make sure athletes' gear is sorted and ready to go. "So we switch the baskets [in and out] once the swimmers' stuff is inside," Rico said. "We switch the empty ones with full baskets… it is an important job, it is fun - usually I like volunteering and helping people." When asked about what their favourite part of the job was: "It's good to have something important to do," Mizuki said. "And we like making baskets. I swim… my favourite team is the Cook Islands; they're really nice," Ayami added. For Teah, it's the people who've made the biggest impression. "I think my favourite thing here is meeting all the new people and helping the people who are in need," Teah added. The young volunteers at the Pacific Mini Games have certainly shown that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact - and they will continue to do so right up until the final day on July 9.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Tahiti unstoppable at Palau Mini Games as competition nears end
The 2025 Pacific Mini Games closing ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 9 July 2025. Photo: Facebook / Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games Tahiti has surged ahead at the multi-sport regional competition, with a medal haul of 53 gold, 32 silver and 18 bronze on the medal standings. Samoa is sits in second with 27 gold, 13 silver and 19 bronze medals, while Fiji is in third place with 18 gold, 24 silver and 19 bronze. Australia, also with 18 gold, eight silver and 10 bronze medals, and Papua New Guinea, with 11 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze medals round up the top five so far in the competition. Here are some of the moments that capture the athletes performances and celebrations in Koror. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance Photo: Facebook / Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance Photo: Facebook / Caledonian Swimming League Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance
Scoop
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
'We're Still In Disbelief': Tongan Archers Return Home After Record-Breaking Run In Palau
Coco Lance, RNZ Pacific digital journalist in Koror, Palau Tonga's archery team headed home on Saturday, still stunned by their record-breaking run in Palau at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. After winning 11 medals across recurve and compound events, team member Hans Arne Jensen, who claimed gold in both the Men's Individual Matchplay and Double 720 Ranking round, said the entire squad is still in "disbelief" over what they achieved. "We're still in disbelief," Jensen, who is a long-time leader in the sport, told RNZ Pacific in Koror. "It's hard to believe we're already leaving…it's kind of, you know…we're still pinching ourselves. "We've had a couple golds at Oceania tournaments and a few silvers and bronzes at Pacific Games, but we've never had a gold, and we've definitely never made it into the double digits of medaling." He also took silver in the Mixed Recurve Matchplay alongside teammate Halamehi Tangulu. In the compound division, Luisa Pongi earned two silvers, Anna Fifita took two bronzes, and Victory Pekipaki claimed two silvers. Esela Mounga added two more bronze medals. While the journey has been one of great success, preparation wasn't smooth sailing. There was a lot of uncertainty around travel, and the limited training camps leading up to the Mini Games had tested the team. "Just before we got here, we were a little bit unsure exactly how we were going to go, and how many of us were going to get here," Jensen said. "But in the end, everything happens for a reason. These events are always a little crazy. "But, trials and tribulations are what builds an athlete up. You need that kind of story, that lead-up, that's what gives it meaning." Jensen said it will be bittersweet leaving while the Mini Games is still underway, especially after enjoying the energy and spirit of the event. "For many sports at the Pacific Games, you find people who are exactly like you, and they end up looking after you, and you end up becoming the guy that looks after them. It's all very 'family'," Jensen said. He said the first night in the athlete's dining hall was a stand-out, filled with singing, dancing, and laughter. "We all have our own roots, but it's one big family," he said. "And I think that's the beautiful thing about the Pacific. We are one people in that sense, and connected. Yeah, there's a lot of water between us, but there's not much difference."
