Wednesday, 29 November 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Home / Kahu

The Rock’s mum makes a kava stop before heading back to Los Angeles

Joseph Los'e
By
Joseph Los'e
20 Nov, 2023 07:42 PM2 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
The Four Shells Kava Lounge in Auckland hosted The Rock's mum Ata Johnson and his aunt Sarona Snuka-Polamalu before they flew back to LA on Saturday.

The Four Shells Kava Lounge in Auckland hosted The Rock's mum Ata Johnson and his aunt Sarona Snuka-Polamalu before they flew back to LA on Saturday.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson’s mum Ata Johnson managed to get in a kava session and played her ukelele for friends before flying from New Zealand back to her home and her famous son in Los Angeles.

Last week, the Herald revealed Ata had been gifted a tapa cloth painting of her son by Auckland artist Tui Emma Gillies.

The Rock beamed in via Facetime to thank Gillies for her gift as well as the many people who had looked after his mum and aunty Sarona Snuka during their trip to New Zealand.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Hollywood star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson made a special guest appearance - via Facetime - at an Auckland lunch where his mum was gifted a special tapa portrait. Photo / Facebook
Hollywood star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson made a special guest appearance - via Facetime - at an Auckland lunch where his mum was gifted a special tapa portrait. Photo / Facebook

Born in California, Johnson lived for a time in Auckland before the family moved back to America.

After the tapa painting night, Ata and Sarona went to the Four Shells Kava Lounge in Auckland.

“Last night we had the pleasure of hosting Ata Johnson and Sarona Snuka in the Four Shells Fale Talanoa while they are visiting Aotearoa from the USA,” a Facebook post said.

“It was Ata’s first time having kava and we wanted to make sure the experience was both meaningful and memorable.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

“Mālō for making the time to come by, it was good to Talanoa and to hear Ata’s skills on the ukulele! Hopefully we can mix again one day, and you are always welcome in our space.

“Also, thanks to Sarona for demonstrating some wrestling moves on ‘Anau.”

Joseph Los’e joined NZME in 2022 as Kaupapa Māori Editor. Los’e was a chief reporter, news director at the Sunday News newspaper covering crime, justice and sport. He was also editor of the NZ Truth and prior to joining NZME worked for 12 years for Te Whānau o Waipareira.

Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Kahu

Kahu

It's musical chairs at Northland Regional Council

28 Nov 05:10 PM
Kahu

6yo hit-and-run victim discharged from hospital after miraculous recovery

28 Nov 05:52 AM
New Zealand

Rāhui on part of BoP river after death

28 Nov 01:09 AM
Premium
Kahu

Opinion: Aotearoa’s most ambitious response to climate change and the biodiversity crisis

28 Nov 12:00 AM

Top toys of 2023 for kids & ‘kidults’

sponsored

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Kahu

It's musical chairs at Northland Regional Council

It's musical chairs at Northland Regional Council

28 Nov 05:10 PM

There has been a surprising switch of roles at Northland's environmental council.

6yo hit-and-run victim discharged from hospital after miraculous recovery

6yo hit-and-run victim discharged from hospital after miraculous recovery

28 Nov 05:52 AM
Rāhui on part of BoP river after death

Rāhui on part of BoP river after death

28 Nov 01:09 AM
Premium
Opinion: Aotearoa’s most ambitious response to climate change and the biodiversity crisis

Opinion: Aotearoa’s most ambitious response to climate change and the biodiversity crisis

28 Nov 12:00 AM
Toy trends for Christmas
sponsored

Toy trends for Christmas

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP