Celebrating Our Pasifika Women: A Tribute

Embracing International Women's Day with heartfelt tributes to women who shaped us.

From the Tongan Muse, to the banaban Warrior, the Samoan Guardian Angel and the hardowrking mama who is both mum and dad. Today we celebrate all Pasifika Women in our lives who have shaped our generation.

Janet - By Hele Christopher-Ikimotu

Growing up, my mum referred to me as her little handbag, in the sense that everywhere she went, I was by her side. As the baby of the family, I clung to her – she personified safety and shelter. Now an adult, I may not necessarily be by her side everywhere she goes, but more so a few steps ahead as she watches her baby boy grow and walk towards the success she prayed for.

A woman of faith, a loving mother, grandmother and wife, she taught me how to carry myself with dignity, to stand firm in my identity and to put my trust in God. From village life, to navigating different islands, to birthing five cheeky boys, “my mum” will always be my answer when asked “who do you look up to?”

A proud Banaban woman, my mother speaks four languages – Fijian, I-Kiribati, Niuean and English. The true definition of a boss. Having worked in the field of education and teaching for over 40 years, my mum has been a mentor and a leader to thousands.

As she grows older and life starts to slow down for her, I hope she is proud of the man she has raised. The day she envisioned a better future for herself was the day she had manifested a prosperous one for me before I even entered earthside. Thank you mum for being my rock, for always believing in me and for loving me unconditionally.

Forever your little handbag.

Penina - By Rocky Momoisea

She’s the hardest worker that I know and does everything to the best of her abilities. One of the most important things she’s repeatedly emphasised to me was the importance of finishing what you start. If you commit to something you can’t just opt out halfway for some flaky reason. That mindset makes her very dependable and is reflected in her consistency.

For example, if she arrives late to something you can depend on her to arrive late to everything else

Tolini - By Luca Walton

My mums name is Tolini, Lini to most and I’m proud to be a mama's boy. It’s a mark of being loved, of belonging, of faka’apa’apa—deep respect for my mum and all she has done for me and my siblings.

She is a family woman.

If trouble or hardship calls from our family back in Tonga, she is the one who picks up the phone.

My mother and I don’t have particularly deep or long conversations, nor do we have many interests in common. We speak in a love language other diaspora will recognize: "Are you hungry? Are you warm enough? Do you need anything?" Her love language is acts of service, and she has done her best all her life to make the people around her happier, fed, and comfortable.

She is a muse.

I have so many memories of my mum getting ready in the mornings: the hair straightener, a sei,

the hoops, the bangles, and a chunky belt (hello 2000s). Watching her put on her lipstick was a ritual. My mum is glamorous, brown, and beautiful inside and out. She is deeply inspirational to the art I make today. I owe her my creative career. It’s a love letter to her and all brown women.
She is multi-dimensional.

She’s a Tongan woman who loves God but also loves me deeply and is supportive regardless of me coming out to her when I was 13. She absolutely believes in my ability to make it as an artist and has never pressured me to get any sort of occupation she deems fit. She encourages and believes in me. She’s always traditionally soft-spoken and kind but also knows how to humble someone in two different languages when the situation calls for it. She loves dressing up and being feminine but also knows how to work a bush knife and a lawnmower. She is an inspiration and deserves to be celebrated today and every day.

And I’m lucky, that she is my mother.

Faye - By Erykah Lawrence

My bestfriend for 19 short years. A beautiful Samoan woman who I called Mum. A woman of strength who had compassion, a heart of gold and was also a bit stubborn. Raised in the village of Matautu Lefaga, Samoa.

My mum was someone who was always willing to lend a helping hand. She was everyone’s favourite Aunty and she knew how to drink like no tomorrow. She taught me to be independent but I didn’t know that I would have to live without her at the young age of 19. My mum served 20 years in the New Zealand Army and spent most of her life in Linton Camp, Palmerston North. During her time in the Army she was apart of peacekeeping missions in countries like Solomon Islands, Egypt and more. She went on many trips, helped others at any chance she could get.

Although she went away a lot, I understood how much she sacrificed for me and showed me what hard work was. All my mum knew and grew up with was hard work. Her Mum and Dad wanted her to come to NZ for a better life and that’s what she did. Being the first generation to settle here in NZ, it was all foreign to her but she adapted to change and found her feet with the Army. She had a big love for me, her favourite child, but who she loved even more were her grandchildren. She was lucky enough to have met two of her grandchildren, but I knew she would’ve been excited to know she had another two to add. Nothing made her more happier than being in their presence and spoiling them rotten. It pains me that she couldn’t be here to meet my own children but I know she’s always looking down on us.

She served the Lord until her last day, and never complained about a thing. After her 14 month hard and painful battle with Cancer, she held off to the very end. I held her hand in the Totara Hospice room as she took her last breath. In March of 2018 she was called to be with the Lord.

Until that glorious morning Mum

Taulagi - By Destiny Momoiseā

Known as Lagi to some, Mum to many others. Even those she didn’t give birth to. If you know my mum, you would know she has taken in and raised many that were not her own but still she could never turn anyone away. Moved to NZ from Samoa in the 60’s and since then has bought two homes in Tamaki, raised 4 children + many grandchildren. I have always been inspired by her resilience and dedication to building a better future for her and her fanau. Her story is not dissimilar to a lot of her generation, who moved to NZ from the islands.

An Avid game show watcher, part time actress, and my biggest critic. She’s always taught me the importance of speaking my mind, fighting my own battles and especially, raising my boy right. Today I want to celebrate my nana and the many others who have made the journey across the oceans to get us where we are today. Love your favourite child

As we collectively celebrate the rich tapestry of strength, love, and resilience woven by the incredible women in our community, let this International Women's Day serve as a poignant reminder that their stories, lessons, and legacies continue to inspire, guide, and shape the very essence of who we are—a testament to the enduring power of women, not just today, but every day.