This is youth voice with rhythm. Talanoa with a purpose. Identity with a beat drop.
Meet Marley and Celeste. They’re two Pasifika teens from Ngāmotu living their most creative lives with zero chill and maximum heart. Island Echoes is their podcast and a place where Pasifika youth in Aotearoa get real, get loud, get reflective, and get a little silly... sometimes all in one breath. Expect deep chats about identity and culture, good vibes with artists, laughter about growing up and friendship energy you can feel through the speakers.
Laugh loud, feel seen, and ride the wave Pasifika youth are creating right now!
This podcast is the voice of the Lalaga Youth Ambassadors.
School, work, friendships, family, culture, relationships and trying to have a life... how are we supposed to manage it all?
In this episode of Island Echoes, Marley and Celest talk about the reality of balancing everything as young people. From time management and procrastination to family responsibilities, social life, stress and figuring out our futures, we’re getting real about what it means to “have it together” and whether any of us actually do.
Join them for a chaotic but honest chat about learning to manage our time, responsibilities and ourselves while growing up and figuring life out.
5 Oct 2026
Island Echoes: Managing It All
School, work, friendships, family, culture, relationships and trying to have a life... how are we supposed to manage it all?
In this episode of Island Echoes, Marley and Celest talk about the reality of balancing everything as young people. From time management and procrastination to family responsibilities, social life, stress and figuring out our futures, we’re getting real about what it means to “have it together” and whether any of us actually do.
Join them for a chaotic but honest chat about learning to manage our time, responsibilities and ourselves while growing up and figuring life out.
21 Sept 2026
Island Echoes: From Ngāmotu to Singapore: Paddling away from home
From training sessions at home to racing on a the world stage, this episode of Island Echoes takes us on a journey with two girls from Team Swaglicious who travelled from Aotearoa to Singapore to compete in the Singapore IVF Vaa World Sprints 2026
Marley and Celestial talanoa with Harper and Elise about the highs and lows of preparing for an overseas competition, what it was like representing their club and community, the experience of competing against teams from around the world, and all the laughs and memories made along the way.
Tune in as we hear the stories behind the paddles, the pressure, the teamwork, and the unforgettable Singapore experience.
17 Aug 2026
Island Echoes: Embracing Change
Change is something we all experience, but it can look different for everyone. In this episode of Island Echoes, join Marley and Celestial talk about growing up, leaving behind old chapters, changing friendships, family expectations, culture, stepping into the future and embracing change. Marley and Celestial reflect on the changes that have shaped them, the ones they're still learning to accept, and why sometimes change can be the beginning of something better.
10 Aug 2026
Island Echoes: An Evening with Leki Jackson-Bourke
In this episode, Marley and Celeste take you through the Monica Brewster Evening talk with Leki Jackson-Bourke. They dive into what the night was about, look at the preparation before the event, share how the Lalaga Youth Ambassadors got involved, and revisit the vibes of the whole night. Tune in to get the inside scoop from Leki and a behind the scenes look at his Monica Brewster Evening!
3 Aug 2026
Island Echoes: Mic’d Up: The Us Boys
They’ve gone from growing up in Taranaki to making Aotearoa laugh. In this episode the Island Echoes crew have The Us Boys in the studio. The Us Boys have built a name for themselves with their entertaining TikTok’s and content creation. Marley and Celeste sit down with two of their members to talk about how their journey began, life as content creators, what inspires their videos, and the moments you don’t see on screen. Expect lots of laughs, great stories, and a fun conversation and join us as we go behind the scenes of The Us Boys!
27 Jul 2026
Island Echoes: The Journey to ASB Polyfest
In this episode, Marley and Celestial take you behind the scenes of their Polyfest experience. From months of preparation and long practice hours to performance-day nerves and unforgettable memories, they share what it was really like to be part of the journey and the lessons they learned along the way.
20 Jul 2026
Island Echoes: Meet Your New Hosts
This is a new chapter, same energy. The mic’s still hot, the vibes are still loud—but the voices? Meet your new hosts Marley and Celestial. We’re stepping into Island Echoes with fresh stories, new perspectives, and the same heart for Pasifika youth in Aotearoa. In this episode, we’re getting real about who we are, where we come from, and what we’re bringing to the space. Expect laughs, a little chaos, and the kind of honesty that sets the tone for everything to come. This is us getting comfortable and ready to make this space our own!
1 Mar 2026
Island Echoes: Episode 6 - Island Siblings Unfiltered
Prepare for laughter, teasing, and random side tangents as episode 6 is officially a sibling takeover. Angelina interviews her brother, VJ-Immanuel Paese, diving into his journey with Lalaga - the highs, lows and thoughts swirling around with Polyfest being less than THREE weeks away. They also talk about Angelina’s experience in Fiji, Samoan food and of course... there’s plenty of sibling banter. It’s fun, it’s honest and chaotic in the best way - come chill with us!
23 Feb 2026
Island Echoes: Episode 5 - Moments in Motion
Episode 5 takes us through the Lalaga Le Hui Fono exhibition and our Talanoa Week, a time full of memories, reflection, and connection. We chat about the art that inspired us, the cultural lessons we carried, and what it taught us about identity and community. The vibe is nostalgic and heartwarming, celebrating the moments that made us pause, reflect, and appreciate the journey. This episode is all about remembering, learning, and feeling grateful for the spaces, stories, and people that shape us.
16 Feb 2026
Island Echoes: Episode 4 - Behind the Big Night
Episode 4 unpacks the week leading up to our biggest production yet - a production fundraiser for Polyfest that tested us in every way. The pressure was real, emotions were high, and the week felt intense from start to finish. We talk through the stress, the moments that stretched us, and the lessons that came with it. This episode is raw and reflective, capturing a week of real character development.
9 Feb 2026
Island Echoes: Episode 3 - Culture, Craft & Carrying the People
In Episode 3, we hang out with Leki Jackson-Bourke - Pasifika playwright, performer, and creative force from Aotearoa - for a kōrero full of laughs, stories, and good vibes. Leki talks about his upbringing, what it’s like travelling across the Pacific and the world for his mahi, and how working us Lalaga Youth Ambassadors in Taranaki compared to the bigger Auckland groups he usually tutors for Polyfest. This episode is high-energy, inspiring, and all about community, creativity, and connecting through culture.
2 Feb 2026
Island Echoes: Episode 2 - From Curious to Connected
This episode features two of our young Lalaga Youth Ambassadors jumping on the mic to share their journey since joining the Lalaga aiga. They talk about what pulled them in, their first impressions, and the moments that made them feel at home. Expect a relaxed and uplifting kōrero filled with laughs, real talk, and good vibes as Pasifika youth reflect on community, confidence, and finding their voice together.
26 Jan 2026
Island Echoes: Episode 1 - Meet The Crew
Before the yapping starts, the stories go deep, and the vibes start rolling, it’s time to meet the voices behind Island Echoes. In this first episode, Jorja, Faith and Angelina pull up for a fun, honest yarn about who they are, where they’re from, and how the Lalaga Youth Ambassadors came to be. Expect laughs, big energy, and real talk about culture, creativity, friendship, and what it’s like being young, Pasifika, and proudly yourself in Ngāmotu. Press play, tune in and ride the wave!
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