Tonga Broadcasting Commission visual editor Katokakala Lino is part of a Pacific cohort producing coverage of the 2026 Commonwealth Games for Pasifika TV, in partnership with Sky TV. Photo credit: Supplied.
By Michelle Curran
Executive Communications Manager, Pasifika TV/PCBL
As a woman, working in the world of sports media still has its challenges for the likes of visual editor at Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC), Katokakala (Kato) Lino.
“Often I am the only woman working at a game and the rest of the camera crew are men,” says Kato, who has 18 years’ experience in broadcasting.
In what has been a male-dominated profession in Tonga, TBC is breaking the trend with a production crew of eight ta’ahine led by producer ‘Otufelenite ‘Elone, which Kato is part of.
“The guys are getting more used to our crew being out and about, but it is often just me at sports events as I am really interested in sports broadcasting.
“I feel I have to prove myself in this field and need to challenge myself professionally.”
International experience
Kato will get the opportunity to hone her craft having been selected as one of four Pacific media professionals to produce content from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, for Pasifika TV to screen across the region.
Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), PCBL has partnered with Sky TV to air coverage of the Games, as well as train the Pacific cohort to train alongside the Auckland-based Sky team, gathering stories and producing daily highlights focused on Pacific athletes competing in Scotland.
Kato, who arrives in Auckland this week to begin training, will be joined by Jone Tomuse, producer at Fiji’s Mai TV, Wari Ila, senior editor at National Broadcasting Corporation in Papua New Guinea, and Meli Ma’afu Fanua Laddpeter, sports journalist at Fiji Broadcasting Corporation.
Overseeing the training is Paul Vunituraga, a Pacific-based broadcast manager, producer and consultant, PCBL Regional Content Manager Tia Soakai, and PCBL General Manager Programming and Sport Tui McKendrick.
Kato says she is looking forward to learning new techniques and sharing experiences with media professionals from across the Pacific.
“There are some nerves because it is a major international event, but I see that as motivation to do my best,” she adds.
Clear goals
Her goals of what she wants to achieve in Aotearoa are clear.
“I hope to gain practical experience covering a major sporting event and return home with new knowledge that will improve the quality of sports coverage at TBC…and for our audiences in Tonga.”
In a rapidly evolving media industry, with digital technology and audience expectations, Kato says PCBL training programmes such as this one, will ensure Pacific media have the relevant skills to collaborate on the global stage.
Story sovereignty and industry sustainability are two core pillars at PCBL and its aim from this training is to create pipelines of skilled Pacific media professionals to continue telling Pacific stories.
Approximately 3000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will be competing in 10 sports, across four venues at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Pacific countries sending athletes include Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
To view the Commonwealth Games in the region, visit Pasifika TV or your local broadcaster.