It was 7:50pm and the sky was like ink when I arrived at Basement Theatre to see Keagan Carr Fransch’s new work, presented by Black Creatives Aotearoa and Hand Pulled Collective and directed by Dione Joseph and Sam Phillips. I gazed up at four bold, black letters floating in a glowing, green box. The title of the show felt urgent, spelled in all caps—except for a rebellious lowercase ‘i’ at the end of a word that inspired scepticism. ANTi, a one-woman play “about a family forced to meet at the intersection of queer love, religious expectations, tragic heroines and Black womanhood”, promised to irradiate the contradictions, duality and joy in our midst.

Pōkai Tuhi was an opportunity for Moana authors and learners to engage in creative experiences that centred our ways of knowing and being. Together, we used literature as a tool for liberation. We continued our ancient tradition of storytelling on our own terms, and we shared our strengths with the next generation of knowledge leaders.

On Tuesday, June 4, I attended my first ever KAVAX: Tā Valivali session at Four Shells Kava Lounge. In the space that was lovingly carved out for me, I was invited to rest, tell stories and create art. Being taken care of in this way allowed me to fully surrender to stillness. While my body relaxed and my worries eased, my cup was filled with community. From the cosy corner of Central Aukilani where I met the kava root, I rejoined the outside world feeling held by my sisters, my ancestors and myself.

Red, White and Brass: The Play was a triumph. Based on true events and an effervescent community, this show centred sacred relationships, diverse identities and cultural strengths. Unrelentingly high energy and a consistently swift pace culminated in an evening of dynamic, seriously entertaining theatre.

Joelle Holland is the owner of Hawaiiki Pēpi. She started her business 18 months ago with the mission of wrapping the next generation of Māori tamariki in their culture. Using her first home savings, Joelle managed to get her dream off the ground by creating the Niho Blanket. Now, her baby products are stocked all over the country!

Rowena Rooney is the inspired multidisciplinary artist behind Blue Turtle Design. Her family is from Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji, and she grew up in West Auckland with her Fijian grandmother Adi Teimumu. Rowena’s passion for visual arts and working with Pasifika communities led her to teaching art in schools, and cultivating a thriving creative practice from her home in Te Atatū.

“The whole audience erupted in laughter that took me back to standing in my aunty’s kitchen, lovingly slapping my cousin’s shoulder for saying something cheeky that I wasn’t allowed to repeat.”

Allana Luisa Kaipo is a co-owner of Huckleberry Revitalise Cafe in New Lynn. Since purchasing the cafe in September 2023, Allana and co-owner Sam Kaipo have been transforming the once run-down eatery into a buzzing community hub. Their passion for good food and island hospitality is evident as the couple provides West Auckland locals with kai that nourishes their bodies, and a space that heals their wairua.

Litia Tuiburelevu (Fijian Pākehā Tongan) is the writer and director behind the wave-making docuseries, STILL HERE. In response to the changing cultural and physical landscape of Aukilani, Litia set out to document the lives of families who made it what it is today. Despite rampant gentrification in Central Tāmaki Makaurau, the Pacific diaspora remains. STILL HERE is a visual representation of a zealous resistance to the erasure of intergenerational influence in inner-city suburbs. With Litia at the helm alongside Ursula Williams and Torisse Laulu, STILL HERE tells the complex, colourful stories of Tagata Moana who live there now.

Danielle Akenese Meredith (DAM) is a Samoan/Tongan artist who was born and raised in GI (Glen Innes), and hails from the villages of Fuipu’a and Vaito'omuli Palauli (Samoa); Kolofo’ou and Faleleu (Tonga). After high school, Danielle studied a Bachelor of Visual Arts at The University of Auckland, where she nurtured a notable interest in painting and later studied fashion design. Then, it was time to find a job and working within various arts administration roles took precedence over her creative practice. However, Danielle found fulfilment in her service to the creative arts community as an operations manager at Tautai, a Pacific arts trust, where she helped other creatives to bring their musings to life.

Dorell Ben is a Rotuman Gujarati PhD candidate, researcher and artist from Fiji. In 2020, she moved to Australia to conduct “a doctoral research project on the narratives of Pacific tattoo renaissances of Pacific women and other art forms that emerge from these tattoo cultures” at Griffith University.

Dr. Sarah McLean-Orsborn is a New Zealand-born Samoan, Scottish and Croatian lecturer (Faculty of Arts, Pacific Studies) and PhD candidate at the University of Auckland. She hails from the villages of Moamoa, Papa Sataua and Tapatapao, and she grew up in Mulifanua, Samoa. Her story is a reminder that accessing the wisdom and support of the leaders in our communities is key to our success.

Breanna’s advice for budding writers is to build strong creative networks. She believes that valuing your mahi enough to talk to other creatives about it can lead to pivotal opportunities. “There is nothing bad about self-promotion. It’s like putting yourself on. Promote the hell out of yourself.” So, with Breanna’s blessing, I urge you to send that DM, make that call or go to that exhibition. “IF YOU’RE NOT YOUR BIGGEST FAN, WHO ELSE IS GONNA BE?!”

Today, Whitney hosts intimate Raranga workshops for adults, tamariki and organisations. She knows the healing potential that exists within these expressive spaces, and she is determined to bring people home to themselves, their community and their whakapapa. One day, Whitney hopes that Mātauranga Māori is as commonplace as the ritual of making a cuppa in the morning.

Sara Moana’s advice for her fellow creatives and rangatahi who aspire to be artists, is to “... be gentle with yourself… use this time to figure out what you love and just keep doing that.”

Saoatulagioletagaloa Penina Tu’unai Ifopo is the visionary behind the Falelalaga Cultural and Education Center. Driven by overflowing alofa and a wealth of intergenerational wisdom, Penina facilitates learning that heals and strengthens cultural identities. Penina has created a cultural sanctuary that enhances the mana of everyone who is woven into its fibres.

Liam Jacobson is a poet from Kāi Tahu who was raised in Manurewa, Tāmaki Makaurau. Their debut pukapuka, ‘Neither’, will be released in September 2023! Published by Dead Bird Books, this collection of poems indicates a milestone in Liam’s haerenga (journey) to authorship.

Dahlia is the creator of Mila’s Books, the world's only all Pasifika publishing team. As an educator, author and publisher - Dahlia advocates for Tagata Moana by ensuring that tamaiti see themselves in the books they read.

Antonia Estall is a Freelance Creative with Cook Island and Irish heritage. Her professional journey began at university where she studied Textile Design. Since then, she has explored her identity and cultural values as a designer, writer and researcher in a diverse range of spaces. From creating Tivaevae to leading the Aotearoa Chapter of Creatives for Climate, Antonia has developed a strong sense of self and community through her multidisciplinary practice.

MJ Fau Fuimaono Latu is a young Samoan leader from Manurewa. At only eight years old, MJ has overcome profound challenges and celebrated remarkable achievements. As a Finlayson Park School student, he was awarded a $200,000.00 scholarship to attend King’s School. On the same day, MJ was rushed to hospital for the urgent treatment of a brain tumour. His story is one of bravery and excellence.