Pasifika Books to Note
Our Pasifika Writers and Illustrators continue to flourish with a notable range of books, from romance novels & academic publications to educational children's stories!
Check out these authors and their books, as well as and where to buy them!
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Bi-lingual Language Books & E-Books - Twinnies
Last Christmas, the author decided to take it a step further and wrote a physical book for them for their Christmas present. She wrote the story, had it illustrated, self published and printed. She wrote the book in Tongan and in English. She posted the book and then had other Tongan parents writing to ask if they could buy the book. She then printed more and this was the beginning of 'Twinnies'.…more
Humans of the Islands - Angela Tiatia
With Samoan and Australian heritage, NZ-born Angela Tiatia is an award winning Multimedia artist.
This year Tiatia was included in the Harper's Bazaar Visionary Women portfolio and will be speaking at the Harper's Bazaar Visionary Women event panellist discussion.
What's cool about being a video artist?
It's exciting and challenging as each new work needs to be approached differently each time. The process is dependant on being very social - so I get to meet and work with lots of amazing people.
Tell us about some of the themes in your work?
Wow... a big question... in short... I look at how the Pacific body/place/experience has been stereotyped through images/media/popular culture/art over the last 150 years. Within this time frame, I explore ways in which I can challenge these stereotypes and create new narratives and imagery. As well as this, I also look at the universality of the human experience and the human condition that binds us all.…more
Sex & the Sugas - Part 6
Sex & The Suga’s, brought to you by The Coconet, is an after-hours series written exclusively by Pasifika women, talking about all things sex and sexuality. A subject that is usually shied away from in Island culture, five women of various ages, sexual identities and island backgrounds, reveal some of their personal experiences and explore what their sexuality means to them. Stay tuned for a new story each week, after 8pm every Wednesday!
Part.6
Kels, 26, Samoan
"Looking back, do I wish my family had spent more time discussing sex and sexuality with me? Yes, to a certain extent I do. It would have been much easier coming to terms with the fact that I was attracted to both men and women, if religion hadn’t suggested that it was a sin. I had to discover this side of myself alone until I found the courage to tell others."
It took me a long time to realize that my sexuality was mine. That I was in control of my feelings, how I acted on them and who I experienced that with.…more
Humans of the Islands - Vea Mafile'o
"Vea Mafile’o is an artist of Tongan, Māori and Scottish descent who
works primarily in moving image and installation...Mafile’o continues to work as
a filmmaker and is co-founder of the company Malosi Pictures"
Recently, Tongan filmmaker Vea Mafile’o took the Sundance Film Festival by storm with her short film “Lea Tupu’anga / Mother Tongue.” This film was selected out of an outstanding 17,000 applications.
“Lea Tupu’anga / Mother Tongue” follows the journey of a young Tongan speech-language therapist. This unique tale unfolds the dynamic between the therapist, fluent in English only, and her client, who exclusively communicates in Tongan.
Written by Luciane Buchanan and directed by seasoned documentary director Vea Mafile’o, the two reflect on what it means to be Tongan women in the scripted space at Sundance. Mafile’o stated, “It’s pretty overwhelming and a super exciting space to be in… Previous Polynesian NZFC films that have screened here have been by a handful of Māori and Samoan directors. They really have paved the way for Luciane and I.…more
Sex & The Suga's - Part 5
Sex & The Suga’s, brought to you by The Coconet, is an after-hours series written exclusively by Pasifika women, talking about all things sex and sexuality. A subject that is usually shied away from in Island culture, five women of various ages, sexual identities and island backgrounds, reveal some of their personal experiences and explore what their sexuality means to them. Stay tuned for a new story each week, after 10pm every Wednesday!
Part 5.
Kat, 35, Samoan.
I am of full Samoan heritage, born and raised here in New Zealand & am now a proud single Mother of 3 children.
I grew up in West Auckland only knowing what was normal through the things that surrounded me. This was obeying your parents, staying truthful, doing as you were being told and turning up to all family or church events ready to work. Because I was the only girl and the youngest, I had a lot of expectations to live up to; something I was reminded of, everyday.
My 1st sexual experience was when I was 17 years old.…more
REWA ALL STARS - Fresh Outta Rewa
Manurewa High School students 'Rewa All Stars' Performance at the Hip Hop International New Zealand MegaSchools Street Dance Competition.
Rewa All Stars Placed 2nd out of 14 schools and recieved Most Outstanding Performance Award for their creative routine 'Fresh Outta Rewa' inspired by The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Coco congrats guys!
MOTHER'S DAY
By: kristian Fanene Schmidt aka Krit
ACT I
SCENE I
INT. KRIT’S APARTMENT. MOTHER’S DAY 2017.
Krit, early 30s [but the curls is popping so he looks early 20s OOP] sits on his bed in his one bedroom apartment, handwriting the last of three letters. He signs off the final letter and folds it up into thirds before placing them all into a small box together with three small softcover books. He places the small box on the dresser and walks over to the bathroom to take a good look in the mirror. He’s not really sure what he’s staring at but after a few beats he gives a smile anyway. He runs the faucet and splashes water on his face to wash away the dry tears. He pats his face with a towel and returns to his bedroom. He sits cross legged with his back up straight in the center of his bed. He closes his eyes and takes a moment before he pulls his phone out of his pocket and dials ‘Mum’.…more
Mai Body Mai Future - Ft Ma'a Nonu
The Pacific Rugby Players website has new content encouraging steps to better health - Mai Body Mai Future.
It's an initiative that aims to start a dialogue around the biggest health problems facing most of the island nations today – heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer, (Being overweight or obese increases the chances of having these diseases) and then providing practical advice from some of the rugby players themselves and access to the best resources to help you on your journey towards better health.…more
Samoan Language Apps made by Pre-Schoolers
Two language Apps 'O Luga O Le Motu' and 'Tatou ō ile Maketi' were created with direct help from Tino e Tasi Preschoolers; based in Christchurch and Dunedin.…more
Sex & The Sugas - Part 4
Sex & The Suga’s, brought to you by The Coconet, is an after-hours series written exclusively by Pasifika women, talking about all things sex and sexuality. A subject that is usually shied away from in Island culture, five women of various ages, sexual identities and island backgrounds, reveal some of their personal experiences and explore what their sexuality means to them. Stay tuned for a new story each week, after 10pm every Wednesday!
Sasha , 44, Cook Islands
As far as my brain would allow me to remember, I would say I was first exposed to sex at the mere age of 7. It was me. Sitting on the red lazy boy in the downstairs lounge, breathing in the smell of my Mum’s freshly moisturised hand that abruptly crossed my eye line when the man aggressively took the ladies dress off. Even when I couldn’t see what was on screen while Mum scrambled for that remote, I knew that whatever was happening, wasn’t violent.
I grew suspicious... fast.
My upbringing was fast paced.…more