Fashion meets Art in Toto, a show of various symbolisms of blood exploring deeper connections within music, art and fashion. “TOTO -represents a bold step towards embracing the diversity and creativity of the contemporary Pacific diaspora."

Every year Hawaiians hold a parade in celebration of the life of King Kamehameha, the legendary ruler who united the Hawaiian Islands. A day of festivities, dance and aloha.

Bringing Niuean flavour to Aotearoa we keep it Fresh at the first ever Hakupu Festival down in Manukau. Get ready to be transported back to the 'Rock Of Pasifika'! 🇳🇺 - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Fashion Shows.

Mauri from Kiribati! 🇰🇮 Performers from the island of Kiritimati in Kiribati took to the stage at FestPAC during Day 1 of the Heritage Dance Performances, check out their performance here! 🌺

Kam na bane ni Mauri! 🇰🇮 Take a look back at one of the greatest moments of the 2024 #FestPAC Opening Ceremony, when the Kiribati delegation took to the stage and showcased one of their many beautiful traditional dances! 🌺

As the world's largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders ends, we take a look at the weeks festivities, celebrations and the coming together of our people on one island.

Discover deep exploration of crafts, artistic techniques and cherished historical items at FestPAC.

Be captivated by the youngest Cook Island drummer present at FestPAC and traditional dances from all over the Pacific.

Pacific ingenuity and fashion at it's best as our people stride down the runway in curated presentations, encompassing our vibrancies and Mana.

The tattoo, though diverse still links pacific island nations and it's people, here we meet Su'a and Heretu as they share the origins of their tatau's.

Watch the combustion of culture woven into art, dance and speech at the opening ceremony of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture.

Vaka arrivals of FestPAC! At the epic festival of Pacifhc arts a number of our majestic double hulled vaka sailed into Oahu Hawaii from islands as far as Tahiti and the Cook Islands. *Watch this beautiful event where different nations of the Pacific welcomed their islands on shore in this age old celebration of vakas travelling the Moana. #festpac #vaka #pacific #hawaii - by Arts & Culture Journalist Destiny Momoiseā made with the help of Creative New Zealand

On the 23 April 1943 the Japanese bombed the Tuvaluan island of Funafuti. From this devastation the ever resiliant Tuvalu community now rallies to commemorate this event as a day of salvation. Keep it Fresh with the Tuvalu community as they celebrate their history Tuvalu Style 🇹🇻🌺 - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Fashion Shows.

The Whau Pasifika Festival is back for another year, set to take over West Auckland from July 6-13, 2024! This year’s theme, “E Lē Tū Fa’amauga se Tagata,” meaning “no one stands alone, no one succeeds alone, and no one suffers alone,” underscores the festival's focus on community, togetherness, and intergenerational collaboration. This profound Samoan proverb, notably referenced by the late Fa’anana Efeso Collins during his maiden speech last year, who was a strong supporter of the festival. {{37171}} Ina Patisolo, Director of the Whau Pasifika Festival, emphasizes the importance of multi-generational involvement. “We’re thrilled to bring together people from all walks of life to celebrate our rich heritage and collective resilience. The Whau Pasifika Festival embodies community spirit and Pacific pride,” she says. “It’s more than an event; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of our people” across all ages. {{37168}} This year's program was designed to attract all generations! Young and old, with events that highlight Pacific Island traditions, arts, and performances. The week-long celebration includes everything from traditional workshops and debates to musical performances and film marathons, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. There’s something for everyone, making the festival a truly intergenerational celebration. {{37176}} As festival-goers look forward to a week filled with joy, music, and unity, the Whau Pasifika Festival continues to honor its mission of bringing the community together. By celebrating the shared heritage and collective resilience of Pacific Island peoples. {{37174}}

FestPAC 2024 has kicked off in Hawai'i last weekend and we saw 26 countries from across the Pacific come together at the opening ceremony. Here are a number of Orators from the FestPAC 2024 Opening Ceremony - by Arts & Culture Journalist Destiny Momoiseā made with the help of Creative New Zealand

When the whole of the Moana comes together, we celebrate our strength, our mana and the spirit of our arts 🌺 FestPAC Opening Night shows all the best of the Pacific performance, and cultural treasure from Islands across Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia! #OneMoana - by Arts & Culture Journalist Destiny Momoiseā made with the help of Creative New Zealand

Catch all the action of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture Opening Ceremony from the livestream via Hawaii News Now here! ⏯️

With the Jim Beam Homegrown being a celebration of Aotearoas music scene, we have a jam with Stan Walker, Ladi6, Katchafire, Home Brew and other great Aotearoa musicians the FRESH way.

Auckland's iconic Pasifika Festival was back in Western Springs Park for 2024. We caught some of the amazing community group performances from the variety of stages 

Melanesians stand up! we're shedding light on all our beautiful Melanesian islands, traditions, people and most importantly (in Jane's opinion😂) THE FOOD." Here's how we does it in this unique part of the Moana!

We're in Tauranga for Pasifika in the Bay 2023! Join us in celebrating Pasifika culture through dance, food, and workshops. 🌴💃🌺🎉

Te Maeva Nui took Auckland by storm with hundreds of Cook Islanders flocking to represent their island groups! 🇨🇰✨ Check out the highlights of this popular festival that is pulling in Kuki’s of all ages to perform their hearts out! 🌺

It's the biggest event in the Cook Islands social calendar and you're invited! It's a week of dance, music, arts & local food at Te Maeva Nui 2023 🇨🇰🌺 - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Fashion Shows.

It's Tū’aro Māo’hi: traditional sports and we've got a front row seat just for you! Catch the full experience of this event! Coconut tree climbing, stone lifting, javelin throwing, coconut husking, fruit carrying and much more, Māuruuru!🇵🇫 - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Fashion Shows.

Heilala is BACK! This year’s Heilala Festival marks the official come back of the annual festivity since the covid-19 pandemic. It is one of Tonga’s significant national events conducted every year to celebrate His Majesty the King’s birthday. See the incredible Float Parade take to the streets of Tonga! 🇹🇴 - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Fashion Shows.

Congratulations to Agnes Renee Leihiwahiwaikapolionāmakua Thronas Brown who was crowned Miss Aloha Hula 2023!   Twelve contestants competed for the prestigious title on the opening competition night for the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo on the Big Island. It is the 3rd consecutive Miss Aloha Hula win for Tracie and Keawe Lopes of Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe. {{32414}} Breeze Ann Kalehuaonālani Vidinha Pavao came in second place and Meleāna Kamalani Mirafuentes placed third and won the Hawaiian Language award. Watch more snippets from the Merrie Monarch Festival here  -  The Miss Aloha Hula competition began in 1971. Each hālau may submit one contestant who is 18 to 25 years old and unmarried. Each contestant performs a hula kahiko and hula 'auana. For kahiko, they must perform an oli, ka'i, mele, and ho'i in the 7 minute time limit.

Auckland's iconic Pasifika Festival was back in Western Springs Park for the first time in five years with the full festival lineup in March 2023. Check out the highlights plus sights and sounds of the best of Pacific Island culture, music, dance, food and much more with 8 villages representing 11 Pacific Island nations.

The Tuvaluan Arts Collective - Fafine Niutao I Aotearoa together with the Niutao island community hosted a Tuvalu Arts Festival over the weekend with the aim of providing opportunities for their artists to share their art & culture beyond their own communities. {{12593}} All up there was around 100 women who participated in the one day festival.  Although the Tuvaluan community have a very strong and vibrant culture and identity in New Zealand and each of the 8 main islands hold their own cultural events & festivals, this was a new festival initiative to try and get the smaller Tuvaluan island community groups to connect & engage with mainstream artists and art galleries.  {{12597}}  One of the smallest islands in the Tuvalu group Nukulaelae participated and did a special contemporary dance with vaka paddles.  Rare and beautiful traditional art work from the wider community was exhibited and sold including traditional dance costumes, pandanus weaving, kolose (crochet patterns) & Fa Fetu. Mats previously displayed at Object Space - came from the art exhibition.  There was every day art, casual tops with crochet in them and women making traditional fans &  traditional dance skirts. {{12602}} As well as the art forms like Kolose that are particular to Tuvalu, there was also Sulu Faka’alo which looks like tivaevae from the Cook Islands.  Tuvaluan women were  exposed to the artform when their husbands went mining on the island of Fanafa but it is not widely known that Tuvalu practices this art form. Along with the Auckland Tuvaluan community, Tuvaluans from both Oamaru and Wellington EKT came up with exhibits (Oamaru had done an exhibition inconjunction with the theatre production 'Still Life with Chickens') and support for the Tuvalu heritage arts. {{12606}} Tuvaluan Arts Collective co-ordinator Malama T-Pole said she hoped the event would encourage the Tuvaluan grassroots community artists as well as bridge the gap between the island arts and mainstream arts and exposure as there is still a need to promote arts and networking for the community in this way "It's important for NZ raised kids to see our island arts elevated in mainstream and seeing it outside their own communities" she said. {{12611}}

Heiva i Tahiti is back after 2 years of no competition. The competition in Tahiti started on Friday the 1st of July and will continue through to the 16th of July featuring 5 nights of compeition, an awards evening and 2 winners evenings. Check out Onaku Ellis' hura tau above as she competes for the Best Dancer title. 

The highly anticipated hula event returned in April 2022 with a live audience and a limited number of invited guests. If you missed the event - never fear, we've got coverage of the full performances of the Miss Aloha Hula competition (Kahiko & 'Auana) above, Hula Kahiko and Hula Auana and awards (videos below). -  Hula Kahiko  {{28352}} -  Hula 'Auana  {{28353}}

We go behind the scenes at Marsters house (Palmerston Island hostel) with Tamarua Marsters and Atiu Hostel with Bob Williams during Te Maeva Nui Cook Islands 2021. They show us all the intricate details that go into their island's dance groups costume making. Take an up-close look into what it takes to make garments fit for a stage and jaw-dropping performance. From parrot fish scales to birds feathers ... a lot of intricate details go into making a Kuki dance fit.

Kia orana! Welcome to the beautiful sights and sounds of Te Maeva Nui Aotearoa. We keep Fresh with our Kuki Airani family as they show us their vibrant culture and cherished traditions. We go behind the scenes as the groups prepare and get a look at the big performances on the Te Maeva Nui stage. - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Pacific Cabarets.

Welcome to the beautiful Cook Islands! The land of beautiful smiles and vibrant traditions. In this segment, we go into the Marsters house to take a tour behind the scenes of Te Maeva Nui costume making. We get an up-close look into what it takes to make garments fit for a stage and jaw-dropping performance. From parrot fish scales to sand... a lot of intricate details go into making a Kuki fit. Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Pacific Cabarets.

Benji Timu gives us an exclusive look into Te Vaka Takitumu groups journey to 'Te Maeva Nui NZ 2021'. The film introduces some of the performers of Takitumu NZ and gives us insight to the process involved leading up to the competition. Narrated by Vivian Hosking-Auē and supported by other members of the group. . *Refer to timecodes below 1:00 - Introduction 4:21 - Practices and insights by performers 8:50 - Costume making 13:06 - Vivian 15:55 - Cook Islands culture and Takitumu bond 17:50 - Favourite performances Performance timecodes: Kapa Rima (action song) - 19:40 Pe’e (chant) - 28:47 Ute - 41:03 Imene Tuki (traditional hymn) - 49:42 Ura Pa’u (drum dance) - 58:08

Te Ulu O Te Watu’s Imene Tuki is composed by Tauti Timoti and based on the events of 2020, a Pandemic that has spread world wide. Never before have we faced such a devastating disease such as this. bringing disbelief, panic and uncertainty to all those unfortunate to have encountered it: Because of this, words not normally used have been introduced into everyday conversations such as Level 1 to Level 4, Lockdown, isolation periods and Vaccine. Stretching from country to country, from coast to coast, the invisible threat moves with such unbelievable speed and veracity from family to family taking lives without warning, moving swiftly, silently unnoticed until it has taken a loved one. The uncertainty of the Pandemic transmission has touched all areas of everyday life within the workplace: families, friends and communities and being able to cope with enforced restrictions places a heavy burden on us all emotionally. Resilience is what lies ahead for us all. Today, gives us the ability to endure.

Oire Tokoroa perform their Ura Pa'u at Te Maeva Nui NZ 2021. In their drum dance they show how the borders that were closed does not limit us and that God’s plan for us is to bring hope and a bright future. We are only limited by our own borders that keep us separated from Him and others. Resilience can come in many forms, in that, we can break the borders in our thinking, that limits us from realising our full potential. We open with the gateway ‘which can be likened to the opening of the heavens, and as it opens, here comes Oire Tokoroa. With God we are free.

A'ua'u Enua performs their Pe'e at Te Maeva Nui NZ 2021. Their Pe'e is based on the historic event of supreme temporal power, lords, Chiefs & rulers of Mangaia. It covers the subject of the violent past Mangaian Society had before Christianity arrived. Before the arrival of the missionaries, Mangaia was an island of violent warriors fighting for the title of leader of the island. Bloodshed & land wars were fought furiously. All lands were divided up among the victors. There was severe Bloodshed in villages because the people were dissatisfied with decisions made by their rulers / lords. The last ruler (in that era), Pangemiro, died shortly after the missionaries arrival. In 1823, missionaries arrived & the abolition of war under Christianity effectively froze the power structure, the division of land & titles in the state they had been in at that time. Numangatini Ariki became dominant, with the title alternating between two branches of the family. Since Numangatini Ariki, Mangaian people have lived peacefully without land wars & bloodshed. This has allowed the people to follow one leader. In time “Aronga Mana” (composed of Numangatini & 6 Chiefs (Kavana’s) representing the six villages in Mangaia) rules the island & still to this day.

Te ulu o te watu perform their Ura Pa'u at Te Maeva Nui NZ 2021 composed by Darius Rupena. Drawing from their history once again, the composition of Te Ulu o te Watu's drum dance is based upon the theme of this year’s Maeva Nui – Resilience, Power and Unity. The main emphasis of their drum dance is based on Wanunga who was the only female survivor of one of the most devastating and disastrous natural events to ever hit the Pukapukan people in the last 6 centuries. This event was one of the deadliest hurricanes that destroyed their infrastructure and almost wiped out the whole population of Pukapuka. Miraculously, 17 people survived, one of those survivors was a wawine named Wanunga.

Takitumu perform their Kapa rima "Oki mai" at the 2021 Te Maeva Nui NZ festival. The song was composed by Vivian Hosking-Aue and Puretu Aue. Takitumu’s Kapa Rima is about the ongoing issue of homelessness here in Auckland and are raising awareness that homelessness is a significant issue in New Zealand and that they, as Cook Islanders, could make a difference by uniting together to tackle this issue. They feel it is an issue for them as Cook Islanders to understand in depth what is happening in our society today. In relation to resilience, we can recover from homelessness if we unite together, care for one another and share unconditional love to the homeless. They believe that homelessness is important to cover in their Kapa Rima as they want to showcase their deepest sympathy to this worldwide issue, through their lyrics and choreography.

Vaka Teauotonga perform their imene tuki at the 2021 Te Maeva Nui NZ festival. It is titled “Te kimi nei i tetai akairo” composed by Te Kau Taunga Tumukorero o Teauotonga. This is what their imene tuki is about - Mathews 12 speaks of the confrontation between the Jewish leaders and Jesus which came a head with their accusing Jesus of doing his works by Satan’s power, and his warning them of the unpardonable sin. The point that Jesus was making was that the Kingdom of Heaven had come and that they were going to be excluded if they persisted in their rejection of Him. This warning troubled the Pharisees and Scribes, the Jewish leaders, but they were still not convinced that he was the Messiah. So they demanded a sign from Him. And that is really what this whole chapter is about where Jesus condemns the Jewish leaders for their rejection of him by demanding a sign from him to prove that he was the true Messiah. And Mathew draws a comparison between the Prophet Jonah who spent three days and three nights in the belly of a big fish and Jesus who will spend three nights and three days in the belly of the earth but will rise again on the third day. Jonah was at the door of death but God kept him alive so why would the men of Nineveh stand up with the judgement of this generation and condemn it, and they repented at the preaching of Jonah and yet the Messiah is far greater than him in here.