SEPELINI MUA'AU 

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY TUTOR 

SAMOAN

My name is Sepelini Pati Mua’au and I am a New Zealand born Samoan. I am the youngest of 4, my mother is from the village of Falelatai and my father from Levi-Saleimoa. I was raised in Wainuiomata, completed my Secondary schooling at St. Bernard’s College in Lower Hutt and tertiary education at Victoria University of Wellington. I currently work at Victoria Univeristy in the School of English, Film, Theatre & Media Studies as a support tutor for 100-level Maori and Pasifika students, I also tutor for the theatre programme and write plays on the side.

You have a Master of Arts in Theatre - What did that degree entail and why do you think you were drawn to theatre?

Theatre definitely started off as an interest, like many Samoan parents, ideally they wanted me to be a lawyer or doctor. In 2010, my last year of College, I was fortunate enough to travel to London to perform on the Globe Theatre stage, so my family knew there was something there for me.…more

Chris Marco Alosio

Actor

Samoan

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Update since his interview with us below:

Chris stars in the newly released Netflix show 'Surviving Summer'  where he plays Manu Tetanui - coach of the Shorehaven surf team and older brother of Poppy and Prawnie.

He's also currently filming in Hawai'i with Uli Latukefu, Sisa Grey, Frankie Adams and others for Taika Waititi's 'Last Goal Wins'. 

Peep Chris speaking Samoan in one of the episodes of Surviving Summer below - 

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You may also recognise Chris from when he starred in the award winning video for SWIDT's "BUNGA" below 

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My name is Chris Marco Alosio and I'm an actor. I was born and raised in Wellington, NZ. I am of full Samoan descent. My Father is from Levi, Saleimoa and my Mother from Falefa, Anoama'a. 

How did you find yourself in the entertainment industry?

I've always loved being in the Arts but at the same time, have always been too afraid to admit it.…more

GORETTI CHADWICK 

Writer, Director & Actor 

Samoan 

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What do you love most, stage or screen acting and why? 
I love them all for various different reasons, but theatre is the genesis of my love of acting and I love it just that little bit more. With film and TV you can reshoot and edit out any mistakes. There is absolutely nowhere to hide with theatre... you are literally out there for the world to see, warts and all. 
 
Is this one of the first plays where you've been centre stage & the main character?
This is the first solo-ish show I've ever done. I say solo-ish as I'm on stage with a puppeteer. 

What's cool about it?
Ummm.... it's scary as all heck tbh.  I'm really testing myself to see how far I can go and thank goodness I added walking into my daily regime last year or else I'd have to stop every 5 minutes for an asthma pump.  I think the older I get the more I want to get out of doing the same old thing on stage.…more

New Zealand Champion Powerlifter

Samoan

Beauty & Brawn 

From competing for the crown on the catwalk of Miss Samoa to winning the gold on the Powerlifting stages of the world. Samoan champion Powerlifter, Barbra Auva’a, has flipped the switch on the abilities and strengths of your average dusky maiden pageant queen.

Beauty and brawn has taken her to global heights and she is a little known NZ Powerlifting multi-title winner, but hers is a story that comes with its own share of personal tragedy, trials and triumphs.

Still getting used to the Auckland cement opposed to the Samoan sand beneath her feet, Barbra began her journey on New Zealand soil at the age of 8. But it was at 16 that the ground was swept from under her when she was faced with the tragic loss of her mother who suddenly passed during the birth of her youngest sister.…more

REINA SUTTON 

Arts & Culture Programmer 

Solomon Islander 

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Tell us a bit about yourself ...

My name is Reina Sutton. I belong to the people of Malaita and Tikopia in the Solomon Islands and when I moved to Te Ika-a-Māui, I settled in Manurewa, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland.

I hold down a 9 – 5 job as an Arts and Culture Programmer with the arts, community and events team at Auckland Council. The rest of the time I’m a practicing artist, curator and collaborator.

How does your upbringing + culture help you with the job you're doing today?

Great question!  My mum taught me patience and to have love for all beings.  You might recognise these sentiments having a biblical feel to them and you’d be correct.  These are just two of the many values that I take with me to help me do my job.…more

JORDAN GAVET

Musician, Singer/Song writer

Samoan

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My name is Jordan Gavet and I'm a Musician, Singer/Songwriter.  My parents both hail from Samoa. Dad's full Samoan and Mum's Samoan/English, but also has a bit of a Portuguese and Tokelauan heritage. My parents are both NZ born and even though my Dad is full Samoan, our surname is French so my nationality has been a FAQ my whole life lol. When asked though, I'll always identify as Samoan. When asked if I speak Samoan, well that's a different story hah! 

Jnr Tanielu  / 'JPG' aka 'juxtapose'

Creative

Samoan 

I am a multidisciplinary creative. Initially I started as a self taught digital illustrator/ graphic designer, then I made a transition into the art form of painting. I like using various mediums but as of late, acrylics have been my go-to. My artworks are inspired by my interests and memories as a youth of the 90s era.

Both my parents are Samoan, they moved to New Zealand in the mid 70's. We grew up in South Auckland and later moved to West Auckland when I started school.

When/how did you realise you wanted to pursue a career as an artist?

As the youngest growing up and being the only boy with four sisters, I spent a lot of time drawing, skating, and gaming to keep myself occupied. You know just doing my own thing, that’s where I first discovered my interest in art. Art was like the only thing I really engaged with as a student and it stuck with me through my teenage years.…more

Maria Jessie

Entreprenuer 

Cook Islander

My name is Maria Jessie, I'm of Cook Island & Maori decent & I'm the founder of 'Intuitive Hands'.

A little bit about yourself? 

Well here's a little. I was was brought up by my mother in Herne Bay/Ponsonby, in what I like to refer to as "the glue pot era". She came over to Auckland as a late teenager from Aitutaki, the most beautiful atoll in the pacific. Met a rather dashing Scottsman, (whom like many other papaa at that time had a rather strong fetish for Duski maidens) and voila... Here I am.

What inspired you to start massaging?

I was so fortunate to spend a couple of years living at home with my grandparents in Aitutaki as a young child.  And that is where I believe I was passed on the gift from my grandmother to help others through massage. She was a natural healer through medicinal plants and would treat everyone in our family and all over the island for many things.

Something special happened to me while I was in her care.…more

Celina Sosefina Yandall 

Entrepreneur / Personal Trainer / Radio Host

Samoan

My name is Celina Sosefina Yandall. I’m a Samoan girl born and raised in Long Beach, California.  I’m a personal trainer, a radio host for Island Block Radio, a singer and aspiring actress, and the baker and owner of Sweet Nina’s Cookies. 

How did your business Sweet Nina's Cookies start? 

2008. I was a junior at a private high school when I started baking cookies.  I was playing volleyball year round and private school was already expensive, so my mom made up a cookie recipe for me because she wanted me to sell cookies to sort of help out with the funds for school and volleyball.…more

Gina Keali'inohomoku Bowes

VOICE ACTRESS

Tahiti/ Tonga/Hawai'i

Talofa! My name is Gina Keali'inohomoku Bowes. I am a voice actress based in Los Angeles. My Pasifika heritage hails from Tahiti, Tonga, and Hawai'i.