Beaulah Koale, Fasitua Amosa, Taofia Peseta, Shimpal Lelisi, Iaheto Ah Hi and Haanz Faavae Jackson are just a few of our starry Pasifika actors that have played the Black Faggot characters over the years.

Now the queen of film and stage Anapela Polata’ivao brings Auckland the latest iteration of this groundbreaking theatre piece.

Victor Rodger ONZM’s Black Faggot returns to Tāmaki Makaurau with fire, wit and a renewed sense of urgency, opening at Q Theatre’s Rangatira stage from June 25 to 29. Boldly queer and unapologetically Pasifika, the play reclaims a label historically used to silence and shame, delivering humour, depth and truth in every line.

First staged in 2013 in response to Destiny Church’s “Enough is Enough” march and later protests against marriage equality, Black Faggot remains unflinchingly relevant in 2024. Rodger reflects on the origins of the piece, saying:

“At the very, very least, one of those kids marching against the bill will be gay and feeling wretched about themselves as they grow up… Black Faggot is a response to that.…more

The 2025 Pacific Music Awards are nearly here—and the excitement has already begun. Last night, finalists were revealed in a packed ceremony at the Māngere Arts Centre, where Pacific creatives gathered to celebrate the growing legacy of our music and stories.

This year marks the 21st anniversary of the awards, with a record-breaking 34 finalists named across 13 categories. Among them are 15 first-time nominees, reflecting the rising wave of new Pacific talent across Aotearoa.

One of the exciting categories is the NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video, where five bold and beautifully crafted visuals have made the final cut:

This category is a chance to shine a light on the visual expressions of our talented musicians, but also the Pasfiika directors who have brought this vision to life: 

For director Samson Rambo, The Lecture was always about more than a music video.

“For me, The Lecture was always about creating a cultural impact that future generations.…more

The announcement of Ngā Whanaunga: Aotearoa New Zealand’s Best is here, and we’re proud to celebrate the Pacific talent featured in this year’s powerful selection. Out of 88 submissions, 13 films were chosen, with four of them involving members of PISA (Pacific Islands Screen Artists).

Congratulations to everyone involved in these standout projects:

🎥 Picking Crew

A subtle and moving exploration of Pasifika masculinity and where it intersects with queerness and cultural expectations.
Directed by Tanu Gago, a multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker born in Sāmoa and raised in Manukau. His work draws heavily on his South Auckland roots, focusing on gender, identity, and urban life.
The film stars Henry Auva’a, an actor with a background in theatre, film, and commercial work, who recently featured in the coming-of-age Polyfest film First Place.

🎥 Let’s Settle This

Directed by Jack Woon and produced by siblings Stallone and Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa. The duo is known for creating self-funded Pacific films including 3 Wise Cousins, Hibiscus & Ruthless, and Take Home Pay. Usually, Stallone directs while Abba-Rose produces.…more

Moe Laga, the revered performance artist, mother, healer and fearless fa’afafine voice from South Auckland, returns to the stage with Fetū x Fetu’u — a powerful solo work premiering for one night only as part of F.O.L.A. [AKL].

The piece was developed during Moe’s three-month ANIVA residency at Pātaka Museum in Porirua, supported by Creative New Zealand. It became a space for deep reflection and transformation.

“Fetū x Fetu’u is a solo performance work born out of my time as the ANIVA...Over three months, I was given space to reflect, grieve, and shed skin,” Moe says.

“This work is deeply personal, a constellation of stories, ancestors, curses, and blessings. It draws from my experiences as a Samoan fa’afafine born in Aotearoa, navigating the sacred and the profane, the celestial and the shadow. The title itself speaks to duality — Fetū (stars/light) and Fetu’u (curses/darkness). It came about because I needed a space where all of me could exist.”

Fetū x Fetu’u is presented in collaboration with Cypris Afakasi — a Māori and Samoan, Irakē interdisciplinary performance artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau.…more

Ursula Grace Williams is the director of the beautiful new documentary on global smash hit musician Marlon Williams, ‘Ngā Ao E Rua’

The Samoan director tells us why the doco was an important story to tell, and about some of her other documentary work that has spoken so strongly to Pasifika audiences.

Straight out of Ōtara, South Auckland, Village90 are a five-piece band breathing fresh life into Aotearoa’s music scene, bringing back the soulful grooves and smooth melodies of early 2000s R&B. 

Village90 is made up of lead singer Daniel "Dansz", bassist Elcid, guitarist William "Nami" Langi, drummer Sione Langi, and keys player Doulos. All five grew up in South Auckland, carrying strong Samoan and Tongan heritage.

The group came together while studying at MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand). “We had known each other outside of studying through gigging and high school but jamming together at MAINZ is when we decided to become a band,” they said. 

Originally aiming to be a covers band inspired by groups like Beat Council and Levite Session Band, they spent two years gigging all over Auckland before finding their identity: “It all culminated in us playing a hybrid RnB style.” In 2019, they released their first original single, Young Love, and have been releasing music ever since.

Their shared love of music remains at the heart of everything they do.…more

Tiare Savea takes us behind the scenes of the Tinā premiere, chatting with Anapela Polataivao (who plays Mareta Percival) about the grind it took to make this movie. Plus, peep the crews fit check as they flex on the red carpet.

Director : Shimpal Lelisi

Camera : Fa'anati Mamea

Sound : Marcus Lawson

Editor : Mario Gaoa

Talent : Tiare Savea

TINĀ (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), as heard in the #1 Film out now in
Aotearoa New Zealand cinemas (May 1 in Australia), directed by Miki Magasiva,
featuring original recordings from St Francis Choir and LEAO, as well as music by
the legendary Choir of Western Samoa Teachers’ Training College.

Tracklist

1. St Francis Choir 'Mo'omo'oga Sa Molia I Talosaga'
2. Choir Of Western Samoa Teachers' Training College 'La Ele Ele Ua Le Malie I Vai'
3. LEAO 'Musika Malie'
4. Choir Of Western Samoa Teachers' Training College 'Ua So'ona Olioli Nei'
5. St Francis Choir 'Seven Bridges Road'
6. St Francis Choir 'Indodana'
7. St Francis Choir 'It Is Well With My Soul'
8. Choir Of Western Samoa Teachers' Training College 'Lota Nu'u Ua Ou Fanau Ai'
9. LEAO 'O Le Tupu Mamana E'
Released by Tolu Music
Courtesy of Tu Fa'Atasi Films Ltd

Credits:

1. Traditional Arrangement: Dr. Igelese Ete. Choir Director: Dr. Igelese Ete
2. Originally released as part of 'Samoan Song & Rhythm' (Hibiscus, HLS-24,1972).
Courtesy of Kiwi Pacific Records International Ltd.
3.…more

Your first look at “Lilo & Stitch” is here! The eagerly anticipated film, a live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, will open exclusively in New Zealand cinemas May 22, 2025!

“Lilo & Stitch” is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Dean Fleischer Camp, with a screenplay by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, and stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis, and introducing Maia Kealoha. “Lilo & Stitch” is produced by Jonathan Eirich, p.g.a. and Dan Lin, with Tom Peitzman, Ryan Halprin, Louie Provost, Thomas Schumacher serving as executive producers.

It's a big ol' yes for "Samoan Silk" on American Idol! Carrie can't BELIEVE Isaiah Misailegalu is only 17 after his stunningly smooth cover of Donny Hathaway's "A Song For You." Isaiah says the purpose of his Samoan culture is to spread love, and everyone in America is feeling some after his IDOL audition!