The Lab Sessions

For Samoan Language Week 2026, we flipped the script. Instead of interviewing someone else, we handed the mic over to a special guest interviewer who put us in the hot seat and asked us the questions many NZ-born Samoans wrestle with throughout their lives.  In this honest, funny, and sometimes challenging conversation, we share stories from our childhoods, church life, family gatherings, language struggles, cultural expectations, parenting, and the realities of navigating life between two worlds.  Whether you're fluent in Samoan, still learning, or simply trying to find your place within your culture, this episode is for you.  Happy Samoan Language Week!  #SamoanLanguageWeek #Samoan #Samoa #PacificPodcast #NZSamoan #Pasifika #SamoanIdentity #LanguageWeek #Culture #Podcast 

Fishing at Mangere Bridge for the bro's birthday.

We try our hand at fishing and bring you along for the ride!

We try our hand at fishing and bring you along for the ride!

We try our hand at fishing and bring you along for the ride!

Deep in our dad era, the Labkids finally crack onto 2026 with wild takes, misinformed opinions and light hearted personal attacks disguised as banter!

A lot has happened since the last full episode dropped. Tune in to see what we've been up to!

We sit down with Elias and talk about what its like to grow up in Whangamata, what more important between a thumb and a big toe as well as potential wedding tracks!

We kick things off talking wellbeing. The wins, the struggles, and how we try to keep life in balance. Then, the serious business begins: toastie fillings. Spaghetti and Cheese is the goat, yes, but ever tried cheese & jam? We share our favourite combos you didn’t know you needed.We also take some potshots at the latest Jurassic Park film and a quick look at Samoa's favourite actions stars.Of course, it wouldn’t be us without a few rants and stories, including moments of road rage and times our bosses yelled at us.What you waiting for? Lessgoooo! Comment below: What’s your go-to toastie filling? And what’s your favourite 90s action movie?#PodcastLife #Wellbeing #Toasties #CheeseAndJam #SpaghettiAndCheese #90sMovies #ActionMovies #JurassicPark #RoadRage #BossLife #FoodTalk #PodcastDiscussion #FeelGoodVibes #labkids

Its been a while since our last record, so we have a bit of catching up to do! We honour the late, great 'Fiji' George Veikoso and talk about his impact on our lives, we do so deep diving into our passion and the work we do, as well as some discussions about movies, safety and how to get out of traffic jams! #F1J1 #FIJI #GeorgeFijiVeikoso #RIPFiji #IslandReggae #FijiMusic #PacificLegends #PolyVibes #CatchUpEpisode #PodcastLife #RealTalk #DeepDive #PassionAndPurpose #LifeChats #MovieTalk #TrafficJamTips #SafetyMatters #RandomChats #PolyPodcast #Episode38 #FijiForever #TalanoaSessions

We talk about which TV dads raised us the best, which TV moms had us feeling some type of way and we even have a special guest crash our live record. Check it out!

We asked him on the podcast to talk about Mana Moana, then we proceeded to ask him every question we had about his music and time in Dunedin. Check out part 2 of our chat with  @LaniAlo  and come along for the ride!

Join us for another "Review nobody Asked For" as we sit down with the super talented Lani Alo and talk all things Mana Moana 2025. Mana Moana is a celebration of two worlds of music, with the 80 strong Signature Choir joining the NZSO in a fusion of symphony and songs of the Pacific.Tell us what you thought in the comments!

This week we’re leaning all the way into the chaos—cancelled road trips, emergency weather warnings, awkward chats with rugby mums, UP THE WAHS! We also talk about our our Top Guilty Pleasure Songs—those tracks we pretend to be embarrassed about but secretly scream-sing in the car. Spoiler: Boybands, Britney, John Mayer, and one deep R&B cut that proves we’ve got taste.Final thoughts? Big dreams, little goals, and probably more Spice Girls in your playlist than you’d care to admit. Tap in.#labkidsnz #GuiltyPleasures #PodcastVibes #ThrowbackTunes #BoybandAnthems #RnBFeels #SpiceGirlsForever #MusicConfessions #KiwiPodcasts #PolyPodcasters #upthewahs #IslandVibes #EmotionalDamage #SpotifyPodcasts #PodcastClipOfTheDay

I mean, yeah. Ok.

and other silly anecdotes

So nice, we had to do it twice!Junior Fa is back on the podcast, and this time, we’re ranking the Top 5 Tongan Athletes of All Time! From rugby legends to Olympic champions and game-changing pioneers, we break down who made the cut, who got snubbed, and why Jonah Lomu is the undisputed #1.Tune in as we go athlete for athlete, sharing stories, debating rankings, and celebrating the Tongan sporting legacy. Did we get it right? Let us know in the comments!

We're diving into an eclectic mix of topics from inspiring stories of Samoan legends to hypothetical scenarios that will make you laugh, think and dream! If you had to delete all but 3 apps on your phone, what would they be? #labkidsnz #podcastgoals #samoanlegends #randomchat #stayinspired

We have our first return guest and have a look at the week that was in sport, wellness and a surprise right at the end.

Once again, the Labkids sit down and talk about things they have absolutely no business discussing! Join us as we look at the All Black and Razor Ray's first test of the year, getting back into the DJ scene and school yard bullying. #allblacks #upthewahs

After a couple of days to process the most important win in Blues rugby history of recent times, the Labkids take a moment to talk about how it all played out. Nobody asked. But, here it is anyway #aucklandblues #bluesrugby #champions @superrugby

The Labkids sit down with music producer, director, performer Nafu Tofilau and chat about his journey so far in the music industry, his influences and much more. #nzmade #podcast #labkids #southauckland #samoan #nzmusic

The Labkids sit down with Junior Fa and discuss his retirement from boxing, leaving the church and pursuing a vegan diet. After making the press release regarding his retirement, we talk more about this decision and the things that lead him to this point.

The Labkids talk accounting, rugby and NRL with our good friend John Paul Faamausili. Tap in and see what he has to say about the state of the rugby in NZ as well as what his favourite drink to make as a bartender was!

They Labkids dabble in all sorts of things and this week we take you through some of journey since we last caught up. Do you have any tips about NRL that might help us? #Labkidsnz #polyfest #nrlfantasy

Welcome to the third season of the Labkids Podcast! Jump in as we catch up after our extended holiday and we dust off the cobwebs in studio!

The Labkids take to the street to check out Strictly Brown's first theatre production "Pring It On" at the Mangere Arts Centre.

The Labkids countdown their Top 5 movie and song choices for the holidays!

Mana Moana is a celebration of two worlds of music, with the 80 strong Signature Choir joining the NZSO in a fusion of symphony and songs of the Pacific. After selling out in 2022 in Wellington, this energetic, unique, and emotional celebration brings traditional and contemporary songs from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau to Auckland for this special community event. “Mana Moana re-imagines Pasifika music by fusing the power of choral harmony, with a lush and grand orchestra, making it a truly magical experience,” says Signature Choir Music Director Helen Tupai. “Singing our songs in a really unique, but still familiar fashion is so surreal and fun, so we are excited for our communities see Mana Moana in person. Partnering with a world-class orchestra to sing songs that are prominent and significant to our Pasifika communities provides a huge sense of pride, so much so that it's hard to not get emotional when performing.” The selection of songs includes both traditional and contemporary songs, such as Faliu le la – a song that depicts the beauty of Samoa’s vast and beautiful landscape, Siueli o e pasifiki written by Queen Salote Tupou III to proclaim her love for her beloved country, and Isa lei – a Fijian farewell song and much, much more. Lesgoo

Your favourite Labkids are back and this time we're talking politics, we officially wrap-up the Covid Pandemics Talks and we journey through a tourists travels journal.

One of the Labkids went to Australia recently and had a few things to say about it. We also talk more code, why tipping is a thing and a short tribute to Matthew Perry.

Your favourite LabKids review the RWC final a couple days after processing their grief.

A bit of a late upload, but check out some of our predictions on the games you may have already seen and some of the silliness we get up to off-script!

The Wahs take on the Riff in the post season, tongan language week and other goodies!

After a long break, the Kids are back and better than ever! Check out our sportswrap, culture corner and discussion about sidewalk etiquette!

We talk All Black, politics and chat gpt!

Our weekly catch up to talk about current affairs, aliens and pet peeves!

Old fashioned chin-wag. We try our hand at another accent, some more translation and even a little bit of sports talk for ya!

More nonsense.

The Labkids force their family to be interviewed during a Lab Session. Should be okay, right?

We don't know what we're doing. But it'll be good to look back at this in a year's time. Right?

we sit down the Bob. Our big brother. And test our podcasting chops. We ended up unearthing some trauma that should have stayed unearthed

The Labkids sit down with Reti Simanu and talk crossfit, high school and frying spices

Sitting down. Making shit up.

The Labkids sit down with Lachy Nuualiitia to see if they're cool and hip with the youth of today

The Labkids sit down with each other and see what chaos ensues

The Labkids sit down with Lauie Tofa and talk school life, footy and acting.