Reknown Pacific contemporary artist Michel Tuffery aims to create a dialogue about one of the most important issues we as Pacific people deal with - our environment.

The pacific environment, this has been a long standing narrative within my art practise. 

I’ve recently returned from Tahiti delivering the most amazing film titled "Tupaia" made in collaboration with Lala Rolls.…more

Check out the beautiful arts and crafts that were on display last weekend at the annual Pasifika Festival in Auckland!

Bringing their unique flavor and flair, the market stalls at Pasifika are where you can find the beautiful hand-made arts and crafts that our Pacific nations are reknown for - from the beautiful woven pandanus bags to the gorgeous pearls, there's something for everyone!

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Check out the food you can find at Pasifika!

Make sure you know how to tell your fine mats!

Ernestina Maro

African / Cook Islands

Miss Pukapuka & Miss Cook Islands Maine Tepaeru 

I know I'm a pretty weird mix. 'How did my parents meet?' is a question I always get asked (laughs). My Dad migrated here back in the days from Africa and my mum migrated here too from the Cook Islands and they pretty much fell in love in Auckland. My Dad's from Ghana, the west side of Africa. I'm planning to go back there with Dad at the end of this year and just visit my grandmother who I've never met, but I'm named after her. So this will be an epic trip for me to visit the family and meet everyone there and experience the culture because I've never been there before. I have one younger brother and an older sister. My Dad has now remarried to a Samoan woman - so now I have two beautiful half-siblings who are half Samoan. He likes his island girls! (laughs).

What are the common misconceptions about you?

I'm pretty much around my Cook Island side all the time.…more

Check out the delicious Pacific cuisine you'll find over at the Pasifika Festival at Western Springs in Auckland!

With different villages representing some of the major Pacific Islands, there's something for you to taste from all corners of the Pacific! Definitely a must see if you're ever in Auckland!

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How To: Cook Green Bananas

How To: Make Niuean Takihi

Check out the uso Krit Faanene Schmidt in #TalkingKrit where he catches up with actor/singer Uli Latufeku - as seen on Marco Polo and Jonah from Tonga!

The pair share a good laugh with each other while talking about some of the issues of diversity in the acting world.

Ray Letoa

Samoan, 28-years-old

Award-winning Mixologist

I grew up in Strathmore, Wellington which is generally stereotyped as like the 'South Auckland' of Wellington. I've got 5 sisters and two brothers and we grew up in a 3 bedroom flat - I was sleeping in the lounge, my brother was sleeping in the kitchen and we all crammed into this one place. And with determination and lots of training and just hard work, we've all seemed to come out successful in whatever we do. Our parents are really hardworkers so their work ethic transferred over to us. It was a hard journey and also a humbling one but my siblings and I understand all the struggles and the opportunities that my parents have given us, so we never take it for granted.

Is your upbringing a big motivation behind your success?

Yeah definitely! My mother is now an Early Childhood Education teacher - back in the day it was hard for her to get into University, coming from Samoa and not having much education.…more

 Ron Moala

Tongan / Fijian, 21-years-old

Owner of 'Backyard Barbers' in Darwin, Australia.

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I'm Tongan/Fijian, living in Darwin - the Northern Territory of Australia. I moved here as a teenager - my parents are Pastors and planted a church up here. It was hard at first because in New Zealand you’re so used to being surrounded by other poly’s and I felt really homesick up here. But I had to push myself to go out and mix with other cultures which was good. I learnt so much and it opened me up to how diverse the world really is and helped me breakdown different stereotypes that I had in my mind about other cultures. Especially being around the aboriginal community up here - it’s been amazing and I’ve learnt so much.…more

Myra Rogers

Fijian / Welsh, 31-years-old

International Professional Bodybuilding Athlete - IFBB Pro

I'm half Fijian, half European - my Dad was Welsh. He passed away when I was 4 years old and I was raised by Mum so I had a great Fijian influence growing up. I have 2 sisters and one older brother and we basically grew up on a farm up north in Kaukapakapa. I went to a little rural school and played sport my whole life. I never really touched the weights until I watched my partner at a bodybuilding competition and I realized it was something that I could get in to. So I went to see a nutritionist and 6 weeks later I ended up on stage in my first competition. I've been hooked ever since. 

So you do this with your partner as well, does that help?

Yes, definitely. He's Samoan, he's got a Gridiron background and is fully into weight training. He's the one that first started training me.…more