Breanna Tugaga-Rogers - Freelance Writer, Journalist & Producer

Breanna Tugaga-Rogers (she/her) is a Samoan/Palagi Freelance Writer, Journalist and Producer from South Aukilani. Her gafa (genealogy) leads to the villages of Sataoa and Leulumoega in Upolu, Sāmoa. Breanna’s journey has taken her from Epsom Girls Grammar to Papatoetoe High School; a Bachelor of Commerce to a Bachelor of Arts; music journalism to mainstream media; teenage blogger to astute career woman. Through it all, she maintains a critical eye and the nerve to push back against societal expectations and narrow notions of ‘success’.

As a university student, Breanna boldly reached out to a music media platform online. After delivering an impressive pitch, she was given a shot at writing an album review. That review led to a compelling stint reviewing concerts and festivals such as Laneway. Early in her career, Breanna interviewed Wiz Khalifa and John Legend! Her words even made their way onto the glossy pages of New Zealand and Australian music magazines.

In 2022, Breanna won a place in the Te Rito Cadetship, which opened doors to mainstream media outlets such as NZME (NZ Herald), Newshub, Whakaata Māori and Pacific Media Network. However, Breanna stepped away from mainstream media in the first half of 2023. Among her reasons was the need to write with more integrity. She sees her departure from mainstream media as an opportunity to regain a freer creative practice, away from the formulaic nature of writing for large-scale outlets. The prospect of writing more personal stories about art, community and music is one she is grateful for.

Now, Breanna writes one story at a time. She carefully selects mana-enhancing projects and honours her autonomy throughout that process. 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?!”