Angela Tiatia's 'The Dark Current' and Pasifika Femininity
“In our Pasifika culture when you’re a young person and you voice to your family that you want to be an artist, there’s often this suspicion, fear or worry about making an impact or even a career from being an artist. It takes a lot of having to bury those dreams and expectations that others have for your life and push past that to look deep within and ask “what do I want for my life?”
She is the Samoan supernova of the Australian art world, splashing narratives of brown women up front and personal across giant sized screens in some of the most acclaimed art spaces across the ditch.
The proud Savaiian has been on an extraordinary journey with her video making art practice, and has also had extraordinary success in the palagi art world.
Angela’s latest work ‘Dark Current’ continues to pack a punch, putting forward subversive ideas behind the beauty of the Island experience.…more
Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi's Lalava Brings New Life to Kongakava Hotel's Historic Fale Tonga
"For me it was good and challenging to add new life to the fale and add colour to bringing the old fale to life and it still old technique and traditions and colour of the ropes give us the change of our time and relationship of the traditional fale to the modern and western fale." - Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi
Paul Johansson, of The Kongakava Hotel was thrilled and honoured that renowned Tongan artist and sculptor, Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi, agreed to do the Lalava that graces the main entrance to the Kongakava Hotel.
The lalava (traditional lashing) by Sopolemalama completes the reconstruction of the 100 year old faletonga to its former glory, bringing the old traditions into a contemporary setting for the entrance to the Hotel.
The art of lalava is a ancient traditional Tongan art form and Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi would like to see this art revived and used in contemporary settings in the Kingdom of Tonga.…more
ASD Dads | Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic Children
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 Dad 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
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - LUSI FAIVA
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
The Untold Legacy of the First Woman in Fiji's Council of Chiefs
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
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.
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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
Brian To'o (Bizza) on Lets Trot Podcast
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).
Pasifika Podcasts For Your Listening Pleasure!
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
Pasifika Musicians on the Rise
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
Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau: “If you’re not invited to the table, set up your own”
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