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

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

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

Pasifika Strongwoman athlete Angelica Jardine made her presence known as a newcomer to the strongwoman circuit, taking out victory in her very first appearance at the 'Arnold Strongwoman Classic.'

The Arnold Strongwoman Classic, an annual competition featuring strongwomen athletes from around the world, serves as the stage for determining the 'Strongest Woman in the World.'

Angelica's triumphs in these prestigious events not only solidify her as a rising force in international strongwoman competition but also mark a historic achievement, making her the first Pasifika woman to clinch victory at the Classic, showcasing her strength on the global stage.

Check out her amazing performance here!

SPDRTWNBBY

SAMOAN

SINGER / SONGWRITER

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Meet the rising star Spdrtwnbby (spider town baby), from hearty Avondale! She's not just a singer-songwriter; but a musical wizard who channels her personal experiences into catchy originals. For her, music is the secret portal to let her personality shine through! Having recently released her debut single, 'Pixel Pixie,' we talk to the emerging artist about her work and creative process

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Tell us a bit about yourself

I am full Samoan, my Dad is from Lalomanu Aleipata and Mum is from Malie. I was born here in Tamaki Makaurau, born and raised in Avondale. I did all my schooling through Avondale and then completed my tertiary studies with University of Auckland gaining a Bachelor of Music specializing in songwriting and performance.  I am the eldest child of three. My star sign is Capricorn. I currently work as a Pasifika librarian with Auckland Libraries.

I really enjoy the community engagement aspect of my job, it challenges me to create resources where we can encourage different forms of literacy and learning for our Moana community.…more

Proud Father, Loving husband and South Auckland's staunchest advocate - the loss of Fa'anānā has been felt far and wide. Hundreds of tributes have poured in from those who knew him in life and are mourning the loss of one of our pillars in the Pasifika Communities. Here are some of the beautiful thoughts expressed by people from all different sectors of society, as we honour Fa’anānā’s legacy to us:

Mariner Fagaiava

Aigagalefili Fepulea'i-Tupua'i

Falaniko Tomoniko II - Samoan Educator

Fa'anānā Efeso Collins, you always made time for everyone. Everyone who knew you felt like you were their best friend in the world, myself included! The only thing bigger than your smile, your personality, your intelligence and your star was your love for Fia Collins and your girls, your family and your Pacific people. My love and prayers go out to all of you at this time.…more

The screen sector in Aotearoa has exploded with Pasifika content in the last 10 years - made mostly by Pasifika women!

This years Women In Film & Television NZ Awards saw 6 Moana women finalists across different categories: 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEARS WINNERS

Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa: Hinterland Woman To Watch Award 2024

Ashlee Fidow: Queenstown Camera Company Craft Award 2024

Ngaire Fuata - Warner Bros. Discovery Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen Industry 2024

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These are a few of the Pasifika women who are making their mark on screens big and small in Aotearoa. These include our tuakana producers and directors who have made stories for Pasifika audiences across digital, film and TV mediums in both drama and factual content.…more

NATANO KENI

PLAYWRIGHT & PERFORMER

SAMOAN

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Samoan Playwright Natano Keni has come out with a brand new theatre show named O le Pepelo, le Gaoi, ma le Pala'ai. 
Using both English and Gagana Sāmoa, O le Pepelo, le Gaoi, ma le Pala’ai | The Liar, the Thief, and the Coward is a modern tale of a man who’s out of step with the times and whose time is running out. Who then will survive?

The playwright tells us more about his story here

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Tell us more about yourself. Cultural heritage? Where did you grow up?
I am Samoan, born in Aotearoa, New Zealand, I grew up in Timberlea, Upper Hutt.

What was your journey like into the arts? Did you always want to be an actor/writer?
I didn’t really know what I was going to do when I left high school, sports was also something else that was on the radar, specifically rugby league I could have gone into.…more

Check out the convo with the humble, perceptive and highly talented, Lomez Brown on the Mandate Podcast, as he shares his journey through music, family, love and his unique faith experiences.

In the heart of Auckland, New Zealand, two siblings, Samalulu and Tuva’a Clifton, have been making a splash in the world of canoeing. 

Hailing from the villages of Malie, Fasito’o Uta, Lano and Safune, while their childhood was spent in Grey Lynn, Aotearoa the two have strong connections to their Samoan roots. 

“Fa’a Sāmoa has always been important to us. We both did bilingual education growing up at Richmond Rd Primary school as well as our growing up with our Samoan grandmother”

So when the time came to select the country they would represent in the upcoming Paris Olympics, choosing Samoa was a no brainer for them.

For Samalulu and Tuva’a, embracing their Fa’a Sāmoa identity has always been paramount. Their bilingual education and upbringing with their Samoan grandmother instilled a profound connection to their cultural roots. Representing Samoa holds special significance to the pair, Tuva’a stated 

The pair began their journey into canoeing by way of Surf Life Saving at Muriwai beach.…more