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.

Chrissy Grumwald is a Tongan/Fijian/Palagi healer, kaiako and māmā. In this chapter of her life, she is teaching as part of a vocational training programme and practising Reiki in her spare time. Her mahi is deeply meaningful to the wellbeing, learning and success of diverse peoples.

Over the last few years, Samara honed her artistry and nurtured her ancestral gift of storytelling. Today, she is a freelance singer, producer, composer and musician. Samara carries her Samoan, Tongan and Māori heritage into her music while honouring her experimental, ever-evolving spirit. No longer religious, but still deeply spiritual - she has made peace with past, present and future iterations of herself and her art. Her story is one of unapologetic authenticity, creativity and ongoing learning. Transformation through trial and error is how Samara Alofa - the artist - came to be.

At the end of her degree, Holly felt completely lost on what to do next. So, she frantically raced over to the office of one of her lecturers, Graham Reid, on her last day. He used his industry connections to help her land a job as a publicist at The Label NZ. Holly learnt how to be a publicist on the fly and her network just kept growing. Now, she works at APRA AMCOS NZ as a Communications Representative. By knowing when to change course and who to ask for help, Holly has found her place in a community full of passionate, Pasifika creatives and artists.

Amy is working on a PhD at Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland. Her aim is to improve access to cultural knowledge that could benefit the health of Tagata Pasifika. Through her mahi, she hopes to uncover the ways in which the Samoan traditional diet can prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. As Amy navigates Pākehā systems, she is creating a new pathway that could connect a shared past and present to the future of Samoan knowledge, health and representation.

Today, Meritiana is a driving force behind language reclamation for Tagata Moana. As an Aotearoa-born Samoan who is still on her journey to fluency in Gagana Samoa, she knows the complexities of our identities and experiences personally. Meritiana sees herself as a humble servant to the communities who have given her so much. She has high hopes for the continued reclamation of our languages ensuring that we are a people who are secure in who we are. In order for this goal to be realised, Meritiana believes that learning and tautua (service) must be undertaken with alofa (love). We need to create spaces that are safe for us to be different; to be wrong; to be together.

Morwenna Petaia is an entrepreneur who is dedicated to preserving Samoan knowledge. She is the creator of a multimedia platform called ‘Measina Treasures of Samoa’, which she uses to promote Samoan language and culture. On her website, customers can read blog posts, enrol in online courses and purchase Samoan products. Today, her business boasts over 31,000 followers on Instagram!

Isla Huia (Te Āti Haunui a-Pāpārangi) released her debut pukapuka (book) in May 2023! ‘Talia’ - her collection of poems - is an ode to a dear friend, a reclamation of language, and a gift to the people who Isla hopes to serve through her mahi (work). As a kaiako (teacher) and an artist, Isla shares her authentic self with her readers.