Arts Pasifika Awards 2025: Celebrating Pacific Creativity Across Generations
The Arts Pasifika Awards 2025 honoured a dynamic lineup of Pasifika artists, recognising excellence across theatre, music, visual arts, and community leadership.
Each recipient embodies the spirit of Pacific creativity, storytelling, and cultural pride.
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Senior Pacific Artist Award — Anapela Polataivao ONZM
A proud Samoan from Manurewa, Anapela Polataivao is an award-winning director and actress known for Wild Dogs Under My Skirt, The Savage Coloniser Show, and Red, White and Brass. A Toi Whakaari graduate and founding member of Kila Kokonut Krew, she was appointed an ONZM in 2023 for her contribution to Pacific arts.
While she has achieved much in her own right as a Creative, she is most proud of her students whom she fondly refers to as her ‘children’
“I am most proud of my ‘children’ that have continued their journey in the arts and continue to commit to one another and their respective works.”
“I’m most proud when I see that since their training days as actors and dancers, they have created their own communities, built new relationships and businesses, bulldozing their way through to the lime light”
Pacific Arts Business Award — The Coconet / Tikilounge Productions Ltd
For over 15 years, The Coconet has been the world’s most far-reaching platform for Pasifika storytelling, culture, and heritage. Led by Tikilounge Productions, the team continues to grow Pacific media through authentic, community-driven content viewed by millions worldwide.
Pacific Contemporary Artist Award — Sofia Tekela-Smith
Sofia Tekela-Smith’s work explores identity, belonging, and the Pacific diaspora through contemporary art. Her pieces are held in collections at Te Papa, Auckland Art Gallery, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
For Sofia this award is a long time coming “After over 30yrs of quietly making art and exhibiting, it feels wonderful have my work recognised by this award. It gives me motivation to keep on doing this job.”
“Because Art making is an extension of my own sense of self and aesthetic and ideas . I insert myself into my it. I live with art and am wrapped in Pasifika in my everyday life.”
Pacific Toa Award — Tejit Records
Founded by Moni and Ese Aumalesulu, Tejit Records is a leading Pacific audio production company based in Auckland. The duo has collaborated with renowned artists like Vaniah Toloa and Sammy Atoa, amplifying Pacific sounds across the industry.
Pacific Heritage Artist Award — The Veiqia Project
The Veiqia Project is a collective of Fijian women artists revitalising veiqia, the traditional practice of female tattooing in Fiji. Their work combines ancestral knowledge and contemporary art to celebrate identity and Indigenous womanhood.
Special Recognition Award — Seiuli Terri Leo-Mauu
Seiuli Terri Leo-Mauu has over 30 years’ experience championing Pacific communities through education, arts, and cultural wellbeing. She directs ASB Polyfest and leads National Pasifika Festivals Aotearoa, nurturing spaces for Pacific pride and connection.
Emerging Pacific Artist Award — Haanz Fa’avae-Jackson
Haanz Fa’avae-Jackson is a Niuean, Tongan, and Samoan performer whose work spans theatre, film, and music. His debut single Mavehe was nominated for Best Pacific Music Video at the 2025 Pacific Music Awards.
Iosefa Enari Memorial Award — Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono
Samoan baritone Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono has risen from Flaxmere to stages across Aotearoa through his passion for opera. A Freemasons NZ Opera Company artist, he’s won multiple national aria competitions and continues to inspire as a Pacific voice in classical music.
CNZ PASIFIKA ARTS AWARDS WINNERS 2025
Senior Pacific Artist - Anapela Polataivao
Pacific Arts Business Awards - The Coconet / Tikilounge Productions
Pacific Heritage Arts Award- The Veiqia Project
Pacific Toa Award - Tejit Records
Pacific Contemporary Artist Award - Sofia Tekela-Smith
Special Recognition Award - Anapela Polataivao
Iosefa Enari Memorial Award - Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono
Emerging Pacific Artist Award - Haanz Fa’avae-Jackson