From Tonga to New York!
Two Te Wānanga o Aotearoa arts graduates are about to pack their bags for a taste of the Big Apple.
Source: Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Visesio and Serene, who leave in March, are among the first graduates from He Waka Hiringa, the Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge programme run by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa at Mangakōtukutuku in Hamilton.
Their collaborative piece – a 4.4m by 18m tapa cloth work titled Onotu’ofe’uli – Onotu’ofekula - was a labour of love more than two years in the making that included a stint at Visesio’s village in Tonga.
The enormous work, which had to be cut in half in Tonga so it could be brought on board a plane back to New Zealand, consists of 23 different stencil designs.
Humans Of The Islands - Uria George-Temanu
Uria George-Temanu
Flight Instructor, part-time dance tutor
Cook Islander, 33-years-old
What are you currently doing?
Currently I’m working at Ardmore Flying School as a Flight Instructor and Ground School Coordinator. I have just come back into the field from maternity leave so will need to get my renewal done before I start flying again. In the meantime, I am teaching classes and organising ground school.
Can you tell me about your background?
I was born in Aitutaki in the Cook Islands - my mother is Atiu/Mangaian and my father Aitutakian/Norwegian. We moved to Auckland in the early 90’s where I grew up with my 6 siblings. I loved my childhood - we had the freedom to do what children do and my parents allowed us to experiment life. I remember when my sister and I were in primary school, and our parents were at work during the weekends, we would catch the bus into the city and go to the movies, go to the mall, play sport. We were independent.…more
Blinged out Tongan Kiekie blends culture with fashion
The wearing of fine mats and woven material that make up a Ta'ovala and Kiekie is often what has distinguished Tongan dress from that of its Pacific neighbours.
Originally made using plant fibres, the longstanding cultural tradition is a sign of respect and symbolizes the binding of Tonga (by tieing the land around one's waist) to a person, wherever they go.
But the inspiration behind the embellished 'Kiekie's of Kanumez designs, which are crafted and designed by Mele Tonga Tamanilo, were first inspired by the picture of a gladiator dress.
"I saw this picture of a girl wearing something like a Gladiator dress and it resembled a kiekie in a way," said Mele
"I thought, 'this is exactly what I want to do'."
Having been taught how to weave by her grandmother, she then spent her school years in Tonga and Fiji developing the traditional weaving and craftmaking skills.
Learning how to make a Ta'ovala (mat around the waist) and Kato Alu (decorated basket) was a part of the school curriculum at Tonga's Queen Salote College, where she attended.…more
Michel Tuffery - A message from Tangaroa
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
Arts and Crafts at Pasifika Festival!
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!
Humans Of The Islands - Ernestina Maro
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
Food Tips for Pasifika Festival
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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#TalkingKrit: Tongan Australian Actor Uli Latukefu
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.
Humans Of The Islands - Ray Letoa
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
From Beauty Queen to first Samoan Bachelorette!
Former Miss Samoa NZ 2011 Metotisi Komiti-Faalavaau has made history by becoming the first Samoan contestant to compete in the Bachelor franchise.
Debuting last night on TV 3, the latest season of The Bachelor NZ included a wider range of beauties, including the former Miss Samoa NZ.
Known as 'Metz' on screen, the 28-year-old administrator from South Auckland was revealed last night after months of speculation as to who the contestants were.
The Bachelor franchise has been adopted worldwide and is in it's second season here in NZ.
Photo: Miss Samoa Facebook
Metotisi applied last year when producers of the show put out the call for potential contestants, saying "I was single at the time when the opportunity presented itself and thought why not?”
With a focus on studies, friends, family and church, the Samoan beauty is finally at the stage where she's ready for love.…more