Original Pasifika Opera Stars Return to Aotearoa for One-Night-Only Celebration at 2024 Auckland Arts Festival

The 2024 Auckland Arts Festival is poised to host an extraordinary and historic event, "The O. G’s," a celebration of the original Pasifika opera stars who blazed trails for a new generation of talented artists.

On March 24th, 2024, this one-of-a-kind celebration will grace the stage, offering a unique journey through the rich history and enduring legacy of Pasifika opera.

Pasifika immigrants arriving in Aotearoa New Zealand during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s harbored dreams and aspirations for their families, with opera singing not typically on their radar.

However, today, Pasifika opera singers have left an indelible mark on global stages, though their journey was far from easy. "The O.G’s" is an event designed to revisit the roots of Pasifika opera, honoring the pioneers who dismantled barriers and forged paths for future generations.

"The O.G’s" concept is a tribute to the Original Pasifika Opera Stars.…more

Jordan Lee Ikitule created a group for Fathers of Autistic Children in the hopes of creating more safe spaces for children with ASD and their families. 

In a bid to create safer spaces and events for Autistic children and their families, Jordan has held multiple events to do just that. Hosting events not only for ASD children to be unapologetically themselves, but also for Fathers of ASD children to come together and share in their experiences.

The group continue to hold events, and have plans to host information evenings for the wider families of Autistic Children to come and learn more about their nieces/nephews/grandchildren etc. Since it's conception ASD Dads events have consistently sold out within the first day of posting - indicating the massive need for these accessible events.

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By Destiny Momoiseā
Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air

LUSI FAIVA

Performer & Creator

Samoan 

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Lusi please tell us about yourself? Where you grew up, Pasifika Heritage etc

Mālō, I’m a performer and creator with Cerebral Palsy and I have some great different communication abilities. I have Pasifka and European heritage. I grew up in Levin and in Lower Hutt, Wellington. My family came from Patamea. They arrived in Aotearoa back in mid sixties. My mum’s father was a traditional chef at his village. As the years passed I moved up to Auckland with my mum and my siblings.

What was your journey into the arts like?

I suppose I was fortunate enough to be part of the theatre groups that I was involved in when I was in my teens. But it was not until I attended the first workshop audition at Unitec in 96 where Catherine Chappell was facilitating the workshop that Touch Compass was starting up as the first mixed ability dance company in New Zealand.…more

By Jane Vavaitamana Gerard

In 1876, two years after Fiji was ceded to Great Britain, a council was established for the sole purpose of being an advisory body to British Colonial rulers; this was named Bose Levu Vakaturaga or the Great Council of Chiefs as it is more widely known today. 

89 years of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga being a male dominated Council, history was made when a woman chief was allowed to become a member of the Council for the first time. Adi Maraia Pickering Mataitini daughter of the Vunivalu of Rewa was elected by the Soqosoqo Vakamarama at the age of 43, to be an integral voice for our Fijian women amongst great men that led in their respective corners of the country.…more

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. 

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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.…more

Sauce of Lets Trot Podcast catches up with 3x NRL Premiership Winner, Penrith Panther, NSW Blue and Samoan International winger - Brain To’o (aka Bizza!).

Bizza opens up about the controversial reffing decisions at the recent World Club Challenge, he explains that infamous photo of him wearing a Bulldogs jersey, he goes into detail about his Panthers debut week, he sheds some light on his upbringing in Mount Druitt, his new venture with mate Jarome Luai with UNIVERSE 7, and opens up to Sauce about the passing of his younger sister.

All this plus your favourite segments SHOEGRAB's gifting, "What's in the Sauce?" and “Mystery Question” (from previous guest Reni Maitua).

Who’s not doing a podcast?

For easy listening while doing the feau’s, stuck in traffic, pretending to work or on the dlow at loku, podcasts take minimal resources to make and have been the great equaliser for many young indigenous voices wanting to be heard.   

As the podcast world continues to bomb your feed by the day, we’ve sifted through Pasifika content to point to some that are worth stopping the scroll for. Among the millions of podcast shows that exist in the ether, these are a few shows led by Pasifika creatives that might just be your new faves!

Click on photo to listen! ⏯️

Two Brownish Girls

Cribbs and Talica deliver 5 full seasons of all things ‘Brown Girls’ from culture, identity, family and queerness, to Pasifika creatives, domestic violence issues, climate change in the Pacific and so many more.

The range throughout this series is vast reaching and topics are discussed unapologetically. What’s refreshing about this channel is the nature of the conversations led by Cribbs and Talica (hailing from Samoa + Fiji).…more

2024 has only just begun but its already been a big year for young brown Musicians.

Since January we’ve seen some awesome young artists come onto the scene with debut music, or new releases! It’s no secret that Pasifika people have always expressed ouselves through art, dance and music. One could even say it’s in our blood. 

We’ve had many great Pasifika artists bless the many generations with their musical gifts, and the new generation are promising to deliver on the same legacy.

We’ve collated a few of the many exciting young Pasifika artists to watch out for right here!

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Ruby Coley

Rotuman Singer/Songwriter

Young Rotuman Songstess Ruby Coley has recently released her beautiful visuals of single "Devil on my shoulder" Directed by the talented Toa Fraser.…more

Jemaima Tiatia-Siau

Samoan

Researcher / Academic

By Lefaoali’i Dr Dion Enari

As a child Jemaima Tiatia-Siau caught a glimpse of a university building and a voice called her unmistakingly clear - ‘you will be here one day’.

Today she sits as a full Professor and Pro Vice Chancellor Pacific at the University of Auckland. Here she talks to Lefaoali’i Dr Dion Enari about her academic journey and her vision for Pacific people.

Malo lava le soifua, please tell us a bit about yourself, your village, family ties?

Mālo lava le soifua. I am a daughter of Sāmoa with roots in Sālelologa, Taga, Vaimoso, Siumu, Vaigaga and Fusi Safata. I also carry the lineage of Tongan, English and French ancestry with me. I was born in Tokoroa, Aotearoa and have spent most of my life in West Auckland.…more