Land, Home, Mother: Pasifika Art Takes Center Stage at Moana Fresh
Land, Home, Mother
Moana Fresh Gallery - 64 Rosebank Road Avondale
Siliga David Setoga, Esther Mauga F Walters, Kristal.G
Peep a fale palagi, Mangaian chess pieces and a sign symbolising fa’asinomaga at the new Moana Fresh window gallery in the heart of Avondale!
Putting Pasifika creativity at the forefront of its small and perfectly formed gallery shop, Moana Fresh continues to create communities and conversations with these three conceptual works to spark up the talanoa around our ideas of identity.
The micro exhibition presents visual ideas from 3 very different artists as individual expressions of ‘Land, Home, Mother’, curated by Bonni Tamati who says,
“Pacific people have always been brilliant knowledge seekers and knowledge holders and through creativity we share our knowledge of the world”
‘Avondale Village Sign’ by Siliga David Setoga pays homage to the iconic village signs of Samoa - shifting the focus to the ways that the idea of a village is recreated in Aotearoa.…more
TINĀ: Trailer
In the wake of the Christchurch earthquake, sassy Samoan mother Mareta mentors her newly formed school choir to The Big Sing final. In NZ Cinemas Feb 27th 2025. Starring Anapela Polataivao, Antonia Robinson, Beulah Koale, Dalip Sondhi & Nicole Whippy
The Bunnings Pacific Cup’s Impact on Pacific and Māori Youth
The Bunnings Pacific Cup Touch Tournament is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of culture, community, and connection for our Pacific and Māori youth. Held annually in South Auckland, this event has become the largest Pacific-led touch tournament in the world, and it continues to grow in size and impact.
Founded in 2019 by Patariki Spellman (known as Pat), alongside his good friends Ngariki Enosa and Harley Wall, the Pacific Cup was established to create a representative platform for indigenous people to call their own.
“Māori and Pacific people make up huge numbers in our sport at a community level—it made sense for tangata moana to have a representative platform in the same way Māori have. We wanted to come together, celebrate what it means to be us—and play some touch,”
The concept was to acknowledge, share, and celebrate everything that makes Pacific communities unique.…more
Raru e Maruakaītā: A Fresh Take on Cook Islands Fables Debuts in New Zealand
Cook Islands theatre is making waves on the New Zealand stage, and at the heart of this movement are two passionate creatives: Poe Tiare Tararo and Roy Iro. Their latest collaboration, Raru e Maruakaītā, a play based on a traditional Cook Islands fable, will debut at Te Pou Theatre in Henderson this November.
Both Tararo and Iro are dedicated to bringing stories from their Cook Islands heritage to the forefront of theatre, creating a space where myths, legends, and contemporary experiences are celebrated.
Poe Tiare Tararo, the playwright and lead actor in Raru e Maruakaītā, has long been driven by the desire to preserve and share the stories of the Cook Islands. For her, theatre is more than just a form of artistic expression; it's a way to keep her culture alive.
"I have always felt a responsibility to write about the stories that my grandparents and ancestors passed down.…more
Pacific Artists Honoured with Prestigious Arts Laureate Awards
Pacific Artists Honoured with Prestigious Arts Laureate Awards
In a celebration of Pacific representation, two Pasifika artists, Lonnie Hutchinson and Victor Rodger, have been recognised at the 2024 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Awards. This recognition highlights their outstanding contributions to Aotearoa’s arts scene and the growing impact of Pasifika voices in New Zealand’s creative landscape.
Lonnie Hutchinson (Ngāti Kurī ki Ngāi Tahu, Samoan (Falealili), Celtic) received the My ART Visual Arts Award for her work, which powerfully comments on indigeneity, colonisation, and identity complexities. Reflecting on her career, Hutchinson shared, “I think a lot of New Zealanders care and are excited by art made by Pasifika artists. There’s a lot more Pacific art graduates following their dream and making inroads into the gallery scene and beyond. It’s encouraging and a delight to see!”
Her artistic practice, which spans black builder’s paper, vintage wallpapers, acrylic, steel, and aluminium, fuses the personal and political.…more
Jason Momoa brings Hollywood excitement to Ōtāhuhu
A South Auckland community is buzzing as it is about to become the backdrop for Jason Momoa's latest movie.
Hollywood star Jason Momoa is bringing his latest action movie, The Wrecking Crew, to the South Auckland suburb of Ōtāhuhu.
The sound of screeching tyres, vehicle crashes, and small explosions may be heard in the neighbourhood as the film crew takes over some streets until November 6. Manukau ward councillor Alf Filipaina says it will put the suburb on the big screen and provide a boost for local businesses.
“It really is [cool] not only for Ōtāhuhu, but also I think for Tāmaki Makaurau and New Zealand, because the more movies getting shot here, the better for New Zealand.”
And it's not the first time the area has featured in the big screen, given Once Were Warriors was also filmed in the area.
“That's how old I was,”' he says, adding that some of the fight scenes from the iconic Kiwi film were also filmed at a pub in Ōtāhuhu.…more
Samoa to the World: CHOGM 2024 Kicks Off In Samoa
CHOGM Samoa 2024 has kicked off with a stunning morning ceremony lead by the Gaualofa vaka and Samoan voyaging society, opening the epic fortnight of Commonwealth leaders meetings.
This involves around 6000 visitors, and involves ministerial and bilateral meetings, the Commonwealth Youth, People, Business and Women's Forums, 35 side events, and launches of publications and initiatives.
It's the first time the biennial event is being hosted by a Pacific island nation and the first time King Charles III will deliver the opening address as Head of the Commonwealth - in his largely symbolic role.
The Commonwealth organsiation is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries, with says its goals are ‘to protect the environment, boost trade, support democracy and promote education and gender equality’.…more
Sene Naoupu Appointed as First Pasifika Female CEO of a New Zealand Rugby Provincial Union
North Otago Rugby Football Union (NORFU) has made history by appointing Sene Naoupu as their new CEO, marking her as the first Pasifika woman to lead a New Zealand Rugby Provincial Union.
Born of Samoan heritage, Naoupu brings her impressive international experience, both as a player and leader in the rugby community. Her career highlights include earning 48 caps for Ireland and advocating for equality and diversity in sport.
Returning to Aotearoa after 15 years abroad, Naoupu shared her excitement: “I’m honoured to be appointed CEO of my home Provincial Union. This role holds deep, personal significance as I return to where my rugby journey began.”
Outgoing CEO Colin Jackson praised her appointment, saying, “Sene has all the credentials to be a smart and innovative leader, and she brings so much international rugby knowledge.…more
CNZ Arts Awards 2024: Celebrating our Pacific Artists
The power of the pen, the camera lens, dance, visual arts and our beautiful vocal talents all celebrated in one giant night of the Pasifika Arts Awards 2024!
Recipient of the Emerging Pacific Artists Award, Sione Tuilailala Monū is an example of an artist working at the junctions of identity and artforms. They explore Pasifika queer experience across multiple disciplines.
The young artist has become known for their signature ‘Cloud’ forms and their popular kahoa workshops with community groups, as well as his installation and visual arts works.…more
Cook Islands Pageant Raises Breast Cancer Awareness with Pink Ribbon Fundraiser
The Maine Kuki Airani Aotearoa Pageant recently held a Pink Ribbon Breakfast Fundraiser to bring awareness to breast cancer within the Cook Islands community.
The event, which gathered local medical professionals and Cook Islanders working in the field, aimed to educate Pacific women on the importance of early detection and support.
The seven contestants of the pageant played a key role as ambassadors in spreading awareness.
The participants, including Inano Aniterea, Keikilani Rea, Jenna Te Ariki, Ambushia Mateariki, Siniva Talamaivao-Nickel, Ngatepaeru Maoate, and Tatyana Nomotu, are dedicated to sharing vital health messages with the community.
Guest speaker Tarani Napa shared a personal and powerful message with the attendees: “Don’t be afraid to go get tested, I chose to live.”
Her words emphasised the life-saving importance of early breast cancer detection and encouraged women to take proactive steps for their health.…more