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Pasifika Collection

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A collection of Pasikifa related resources to support kaiako with the planning and delivery of teaching and learning

Lonnie Hutchinson – Ngā Ringa Toi o Tahu

“While drawing lies at the heart of Lonnie Hutchinson’s practice she is perhaps best known for her cutouts using black builders paper to create a delicate interplay of space, light…
Relief Prints – Fatu Feu’u

Fatu Feu’u has a visual arts practice that encompasses painting, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics which spans several decades. He is an Honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit…
Pacific Islander and South East Asian Artist Collection ↗
Pacific Voices in Te Whariki ↗

External link: “Part two of this workshop explores ways in which the visual arts of Pacific cultures can be an expression and interpretation of the Principles, Strands, and Learning Outcomes…
The Magic Seashell: Hiapo and Siapo↗

External link: Inspired by the book The Magic Seashell, about life in the Pacific, particularly when surviving a natural disaster. Students then create their own Siapo and Hiapo patterns.
Making a Kahoa Kakala↗

External link: This lesson was inspired by the Tongan tradition of making and gifting a kahoa kakala. By using paper flowers instead of fresh flowers, it recognises that kahoa can…
See me, know me, believe in me: Reimagining Pasifika student success as Pasifika in visual arts↗

External link: This article seeks to share teachers’ beliefs, attitudes, and pedagogical practices that affirm Pasifika students’ success “as Pasifika”. The students themselves also offer insights into their enactment of…
Sound of X / Tonga: Ha’apai Moana by Vea Mafile’o & Brandon Haru

“My work is based on the concept of koloa faka-Tonga/ Tongan treasures (commonly translated as ‘wealth’) made and collected by Tongan women over the course of a lifetime, gifted at…
Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi – 2023 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate

2023 Arts Foundation Laureate – Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi (Sculpture) talks about his work “we are all busy doing what we are doing and we don’t see ourself. Other people see…
Manulua, by Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi – Auckland Museum

Tongan artist Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi discusses his new work, Manulua, one of several new artworks commissioned for Te Ao Mārama, Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum’s new South Atrium.
The Mis-Education of Moana Arts: Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai

This paper will discuss and critique what Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tua believes has been the mis-education of Moana arts.
Kolose – The Art of Tuvaluan Crochet

A group of Tuvalu mamas are turning heads in the local art scene with their intricate and bright Crochet work. Its also the first time Tuvaluan artists have exhibited in…
Between Wind and Water: Publication↗

External link: “Featuring artist texts, drawings, photography and papers from an extensive public programme, this beautifully designed publication was created as a record of the 2015 Summer Residency at Enjoy…
Pantograph Punch: Pacific Arts Legacy Project ↗

External link: A collection of articles and interviews with contemporary artists from the Pasifika Diaspora.
Te Rito Toi: Lesson Plans↗

External link: “All of the lessons here have been written by curriculum experts who understand the potential of the arts to draw students back to learning after crisis. They have…
Curating Pacific Spaces: Oceania and the White Cube↗

External link: “A visual presentation by artist and curator Ema Tavola delivered at the 3rd Contemporary Pacific Arts Festival Symposium at Footscray Community Arts Centre, Melbourne, Australia (9-11 April 2015).”
The Dusky Maiden and The Noble savage: Conversations about archetype and fetish

A reading that analyses the archetypes of the Dusky Maiden and the Noble Savage in the arts; most specifically in the the work of Shigeyuki Kihara.
Fa’a fafine: In a Manner of a Woman, Triptych 1

This link provides written, video, and audio content that analyses Shigeyuki Kihara’s series of photographs “Fa’a fafine: In a Manner of a Woman”
A Waka Odyssey Teacher Resource Kit

These teaching resources are inspired by the 2018 New Zealand Festival A Waka Odyssey, an epic week-long celebration of our shared voyaging past, and Pacific future. There is an emphasis…
Ockham Lecture: Albert L Refiti – What is Pacific Architecture?

“Albert L Refiti shares his understanding of the prehistory of Pacific architecture within Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa and Oceania and the recent history of this architecture in Aotearoa and in the Pacific.…
How Raymond Sagapolutele explores culture through photography

“Raymond Sagapolutele is well known in South Auckland. He’s connected with artists, businesses, educators and even politicians, through community and photography. Photography is more than work for Raymond, even more…
Tautai Artists Spotlight: Cora-Allan Wickliffe

“Moana Legacy curator and artist Cora-Allan Wickliffe shares her love for Niuean hiapo and the works she created with her sister Kelly Lafaiki in memory of their beloved late grandfather…
2021 Conference Presentation: Dagmar Dyck – Re-imagining Pasifika Student Success as Pasifika in Visual Arts

This presentation focuses on how secondary visual art teachers support Pasifika students’ success as Pasifika. Presenting the findings of Dagmar Dyck’s masters research, how visual arts education is a powerful…
2021 Conference Presentation: Karl Chitham – Crafting Aotearoa

Karl Chitham is Director of the Dowse Art Museum, and in this talk he talks about Crafting Aotearoa – a publication that spans three centuries of making and thinking in…
Tivaevae Activity

An activity for primary school students that uses paper to create Tivaevae patterns.
Supporting Pasifika learners through dual language texts

The Supporting Pasifika learners through dual language texts resources offer opportunities to build on all the early language and literacy experiences that Pasifika students bring to school, not just their…
10 Habits of phenomenal educators for Pacific learners in New Zealand tertiary education

Kato is a Niuean word meaning a handmade woven basket. In Niuean custom, the Kato is usually gifted between people. We decided to use the concept of the Kato for…
Pacific Arts Journal: Saltwater/Interconnectivity

This essay examines the recent group exhibition SALTWATER / Interconnectivity at Tautai in Auckland. The exhibition intended to embody the Moana worldview and explore questions of justice, equity, identity, and…
Your Fonofale wall display↗

External link: “The Fonofale model was created by Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann following talanoa (kōrero) with people from a variety of Pacific nations about concepts of wellbeing.”
Our Pacific Heritage: The Future in Young Hands

This kit promotes discussion and listening to others, resulting in re-affirmation of identity, whilst promoting mutual respect and respect for diversity. This kit is the result of a collaboration, led…
Pasifika Patterns

An activity using paper to create Pasifika inspired patterns designed for Primary school students.
Established Practice: Pasifika Artists

A list with images of contemporary Pasifika artists.
Pacific Pathways: Patterns in Leaves and Cloth

This education kit looks at the patterns, designs and textiles of the Pacific, and the role that women play in the creation of these textiles.
Laufatu o tala ma fagogo: Storytelling ↗

External link: “The purposeful art of storytelling is embedded in Pacific cultural ways of being. Through storytelling, history, genealogy, and cultural values and beliefs are meaningfully woven together and demonstrated…
Laufatu o mamanu: Symbols and patterns ↗

External link: “Cultural practices in the Pacific are strongly influenced by the symbols and patterns in the environment. These patterns carry multiple narratives and expressions of creation and connection that…
Laufatu o le lalaga: Weaving ↗

External link: “Kaiako share the ways they embed weaving in everyday experiences and routines with tamaiti as part of their local curriculum design. They promote the use of cultural artefacts…
Savage Symbols (2002)

External link: “Savage Symbols looks at the art of traditional Samoan tattooing, or pe’a, which covers the lower back and upper legs. The film interviews nine men who have undergone…
Artist Spotlight: Ahsin Ahsin

“… it’s quite bold, it’s a bit of a statement, it’s in your face…” Moana Legacy artist Ahsin Ahsin talks about reconnecting with his Moana Legacy family and what people…
Pacific Printmaking Worksheet

A worksheet that looks at the tapa work of Fatu Feu’u and John Pule.
Tongan Language Week Resource – Te Papa ↗

External Link: Learn Tongan words, phrases, and pronunciation, and explore aspects of Tongan culture.
Sāmoan Language Activity Book – Te Papa ↗

External Link: “Celebrate Sāmoan Language Week by learning Sāmoan words through simple activities that kids love – word searches, colouring pages, and stories.”
Cook Islands Language Week Resource – Te Papa ↗

External Link: Learn Cook Islands Māori words, phrases, and pronunciation, and explore aspects of Cook Islands Māori culture.
Moana Fresh ↗

External Link: “Moana Fresh is a marketplace and community space celebrating Pacific and Māori artists, creatives and authors indigenous to Moana Nui a Kiwa.”
Art Asia Pacific ↗

External Link: Established in 1993, Art Asia Pacific magazine is the leading English-language periodical covering contemporary art and culture from Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East.
The Coconet ↗

External Link: The Coconet is a “virtual island homeland to engage with our global Pacific village. Share, chat and upload your own experiences of living the Pacific way, no matter…
NZ Pacific Picture Book Collection ↗

External Link: “The New Zealand Pacific Picture Book Collection is a collection of 36 picture books nominated by nine librarians based in New Zealand with specific responsibility for providing library…
Talanoa Ako ↗

External Link: “Talanoa Ako is an education programme for Pacific parents, families, and communities. The programme supports them to build knowledge and confidence, enabling them to champion their children’s education…
Tautai Pacific Arts Trust ↗

External Link: “Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust is Aotearoa’s premiere Pacific arts organisation with a multidisciplinary focus.”
Tapasā online↗

External Link: The Tapasā website provides resources, tools, and support for teachers of Pacific learners.
Tapasā – Cultural competencies framework ↗

External Link: Tapasā seeks to guide and support teachers and Pacific learners, their parents, and families towards their ‘destination’ – a shared vision and aspiration of educational achievement and success…
Here: Kupe to Cook – Teacher Notes

“Pātaka marks 250 years since Captain Cook arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand with an exhibition exploring the amazing feats of long distance ocean-voyaging by skilled Pacific celestial navigators 1000 years…
Samoa Contemporary: Teacher Notes

A resource produced by Pātaka for Samoa Contemporary, large-scale, multi-media exhibition of 17 New Zealand Samoan artists showcases the strength of Samoan art.
Fiji Masi: Teacher Notes

“FIJIAN MASI is a beautiful fibrous cloth made from the inner bark of the masi tree (also known as the mulberry”
Baskets of Melanesia: Teacher Notes

A weaving resource created by Pātaka to coincide with an exhibition of Kanak art and artefacts from New Caledonia.
Established Practice: Pasifika Artists

This resource details a curation of Pasifika artists – 29 in total.
John Puhiatau Pule Analysis #2

“In Mahina the image is both symmetrical and asymmetrical. It is balanced through using a grid but the spaces are uneven.
John Puhiatau Pule Analysis

“John Pule born in Ulumago, Niue was raised in Otara and Grey Lynn Auckland from the age of 3.”
Fatu Feu’u Analysis #2

The image is symmetrical. It is balanced by the use of grids within a frame to organize the imagery.
Fatu Feu’u Analysis

Fatu Feu’u (b.1946, Samoa) is from the village of Poutasi in the district of Falealili in Western Samoa. He emigrated to NZ in 1966.