Documentary about Pasifika families living in inner-city Auckland

by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

‘Still Here’ is a tear-jerking insight into the once-bustling Pacific population of Central Auckland. The four-part documentary, released on Sunday, is about families who never bowed to gentrification and immigration pressures.

Mariner Fagaiava-Muller speaks with Litia Tiaburelevu and Torisse Laulu, the director and producer of Still Here.

Litia, what brought on the idea of the series?

When I was at law school in 2017, I did an assignment about racism and housing.

A big area of my research ended up being how Pacific families in the central suburbs [of Auckland] were pushed out of the area.

The legal factors but also the social factors - like racism, housing, urban development, landlords, real estate agents.

How all of that led to the exodus of Pacific families from central.

After I wrote that, I was really inspired and kind of very energised and thought all of these stories and history deserved something more than a university assignment.

Torisse, how did you get on board?

I was super keen to be a part of the project.

I love telling Pasifika stories, and love stories told by Pasifika people even more. It definitely aligned with my kaupapa, and I just jumped in.

We shot a pilot episode with Isoa Kavakimotu, and yeah, that was the end of that.

It’s an all-Pasifika women led project. Had you ever come across that before, and if not, why not?

Torisse: I believe that Pasifika women have very special lenses which have been looked over the past.

To work on a production led by Pasifika shouldn’t be rare.

I think it’s super cool and super empowering, but I hope that this also sparks change for more productions to be led by Pasifika women in particular.

We’re tired of other people telling our stories, so be nice for a change and have us control our stories and narratives.

Could you give us a snapshot of what the audience can expect?

Litia: As much as it looks back into our history through archive and memory, it’s a celebration of their presence in the area, still. It’s deliberate.

As much as forces like gentrification have tried to erase and have erased not just Pasifika but also Māori history of the area, that’s not the only force in these people’s lives.

Their presence is maintained through music, art, just walking along Ponsonby Road in their lavalava, going to church.

It’s not about big, flashy dramatic moments. It’s an intimate and loving look into these families’ lives.

Torisse: Every story is very different and nuanced.

I feel like different people within our Pasifika communities will be able to connect to episodes on varying levels.

I’m really excited to share these strong identities - why they chose to remain.

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You can watch Still Here on Re: News and TVNZ+.

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Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air