More Pacific stories are set to be published and made accessible thanks to a new $100,000 fund.

Creative New Zealand’s (CNZ) commitment to the Pacific has been bolstered - entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.

In their first formal agreement together, the two agencies will co-deliver Tala: Sharing Pacific Stories – a new initiative supporting Pacific creatives to write and publish in Pacific languages. They’ve combined to contribute a total of $100K, with CNZ overseeing a contestable funding round from September this year for Pacific creatives to either translate existing works or create new publications in Pacific languages.

CNZ Chief Executive Gretchen Le Roche states this will have positive outcomes for Pacific artists - both commercially and creatively.

“We have talented, world-class Pacific artists who are passionate about telling stories in their languages. This not only strengthens the transmission of cultural knowledge but also creates economic opportunities for them in the future."

“Pacific creatives are thriving in the arts sector, and this new initiative will help ensure their stories are told in the languages of their ancestors,” adds Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, Secretary Pacific Peoples.

“This partnership with CNZ reflects on our shared vision for Pacific languages. By investing in Pacific language literature, this initiative not only supports the creative sector but also contributes to the maintenance and revitalisation of Pacific languages.” 

Kawika Aipa, CNZ’s Manager Pacific Arts, Enterprise co-led this project and explains “Strategic partnerships and collaborations are a long-term priority, and it’s exciting to have developed a joint initiative that has multiple agencies sharing great ideas and resources to deliver outcomes for our communities and the wider public.”

Major boost for talented trio

Anyone who has faced student debt knows how daunting that can be for young people trying to build their careers - especially in the creative fields.

A trio of talented musicians have had their plights given a five-figure boost, thanks to the Dame Malvina Major Foundation.

$10,000 Arts Excellence Awards have been dished out to pianist Henry Meng, trombonist Natania Ngawhau and clarinettist Ben van Leuven - chosen from a highly competitive national application process open for musicians between 18-30 who have undertaken a significant part of their training in New Zealand.

More than 100 awards have been granted since the programme began, helping to launch the careers of many of New Zealand’s finest musicians - Dame Malvina declaring “These young people are a reminder of the remarkable talent we have here in New Zealand - with the right support and encouragement, we can help them take their place on the world stage. These awards are one way we help make that possible.”

Meng plans to put his award towards the tuition fees for postgraduate education in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, Ngawhau is set to attend the Manhattan School of Music where she will study for her Master of Music in Orchestral Performance and van Leuven is headed to the prestigious clarinet studio of Yehuda Gilad at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, where he will study for a Postgraduate Artist Diploma.

“This year’s awardees each demonstrated not only musical excellence, but a clear sense of direction and deep commitment to their craft,” states Chair of the Foundation, David Jackson. “Their proposed study reflects the depth and diversity of classical talent emerging from across New Zealand, and we’re thrilled to support them at this pivotal stage in their careers.”

There is regional focus as well, with Thomas Bedggood (violin) granted the Nancy and Ron Grant Arts Excellence Award and Graziana Micallef (piano) the Cecily Maccoll High Achiever Award.

WOW headliners revealed

Opportunity too for a quintet of New Zealand’s rising vocal talent - with the headline artists for September’s World of WearableArt show revealed.

WOW has secured the skills of pop star Riiiki Reed, neo-soul singer Tusekah, opera singer Lila Crichton, and two dynamic recent graduates from Wellington’s Te Auaha musical theatre programme, RV Quijano and Mackenzie Htay.

They join a cast of more than 68 models, dancers and circus artists, and 85 finalist wearable art designs, in Aotearoa’s extraordinary arena spectacle.

Show Director Malia Johnston states “We’re thrilled to be working with some of Aotearoa’s most exciting young artists, each bringing their own special style and energy.

“This year’s line-up celebrates a rich tapestry of voices. Alongside performances in English, a special moment in the show brings five languages together in song — a tribute to the artists’ diverse cultural heritage.

“The bar for WOW selection is high,” continues Johnston. “Performers have to have something special, and this year is no exception. These artists are all distinct, with different musical aesthetics, but they come together beautifully. 

“They all have the world at their feet — and we can’t wait to see them RISE on the WOW stage.”

Wellington-born singer-songwriter Reid is fresh from the release of her new EP and two well-received singles. With a style spanning alternative pop, dance and R&B, Reid has opened for Lorde and performed with Kiwi supergroup Fly My Pretties.

Acclaimed Samoan-born opera tenor Crichton is equally as adept in gospel and R&B, performing with the New Zealand Opera, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and as a one-man show at the New Zealand Fringe Festival.

South African born, Auckland-based singer-songwriter Tusekah incorporates Zulu language and aspects of her African heritage, while the youngest members of the line-up are 17-year-old musical theatre performer and salsa dancer Quijano, and dancer/actor Htay. 

Rushin' for percussion

A home-coming for Te Whanganui-a-Tara-raised Myele Manzanza - one of the artists announced for this year’s Wellington Jazz Festival (15-19 October).

The drummer, composer, and rhythm master has been commissioned by the Festival organisers to create new music, after immersing himself in the international scene for the last six years.

Festival Co-Director Tama Waipara enthuses “We are so excited and proud to welcome home Myele with his international supergroup lvdf for the world premiere of his groundbreaking Festival commission Music for a Multi-Polar World and to present tracks from their upcoming self-titled EP.”  

Manzanza told The Lowdown “It'll be my first time performing at the festival since I moved to London in 2019, and I'm looking forward to bringing my friends in lvdf for the performance, and presenting a bunch of new music that I've been building in the UK & EU to my home town.”

lvdf is Manzanza’s cross-cultural quartet featuring saxophonist Alex Hitchcock (UK), double bassist Michelangelo Scandroglio (ITALY), special guest Daniel Hayles (NZ) on piano & synths.

Among the other 100+ gigs announced for the Festival is the inaugural performance of the Aotearoa Jazz Orchestra - born from a collective vision championed and inspired by the late jazz legend Rodger Fox, containing some of the country’s finest jazz talents.

Fox will be on everyone’s mind right up to the final trumpet solo - with his eponymously named Rodger Fox Big Band continuing his legacy on closing night with a tribute to Ray Charles.

Throw in Aotearoa debuts for Australian composer and vocalist Bumpy - who’s performed alongside the likes of Herbie Hancock - Five-time GRAMMY winner Samara Joy and two-time GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist, composer, and bandleader Gregory Porter - and it’s another stellar line-up for music lovers.

“Having four international debuts exclusive to Wellington reinforces the city’s place on the global jazz map,” declares Festival Co-Director Dolina Wehipeihana. “This Festival not only brings world-class artists to our doorstep but also gives our homegrown jazz legends and rising stars the chance to shine alongside them.” 

Snap decision

The photography programme at UCOL Manawatū has plenty to crow after a strong showing in the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP) Iris Professional Photography Awards.

Lecturers Tricia Falkner was awarded both a Gold Distinction and a Gold in the Creative category, while fellow lecturer Gerry le Roux earned a Gold Distinction in Portraiture, three Silver awards across Landscape, Portraiture and Documentary, and a Bronze in Landscape. 

He beams “The results achieved by us as lecturers — being awarded a Gold, not to mention a Gold Distinction — at these awards is quite a rare achievement that definitely doesn’t come around every year, if ever. The fact that both Tricia and I gained this standard this year is quite special.” 

Having set the benchmark, their students were quick to follow. All 10 students who entered the same awards receiving a Bronze award or higher.

Stephanie West, UCOL’s Academic Portfolio Manager notes “Racheal Young, who has recently finished her diploma, was our stand-out, receiving two Gold Awards (plus a Bronze) and the coveted title of Student of the Year, a title that celebrates excellence, originality, and technical mastery in student photography.

“This means almost 80% of UCOL’s entries were recognised with top-tier awards — a phenomenal result that places our students among the best emerging photographers in Aotearoa.

“This kind of success doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of passionate teaching, industry-aligned learning, and students who are brave enough to push creative boundaries. We’re incredibly proud of every single student who entered.”

Phil-ing their bucket

Sistema Aotearoa’s having a massive year. 

They were awarded the Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion at the Aotearoa Children's Music Awards in June for their incredible work bringing orchestral music to the tamariki of South Auckland. And last weekend, they helped 231 talented ākonga instrumentalists feel what it’s like to be a professional.

They got to take part in Auckland Philharmonia’s Pese! Fasi! Pūoro! event at Manukau’s Due Drop Events Centre, where some of the country’s leading musicians combined with their aspiring young counterparts a workshop conducted by Reuben Brown, the 2025 New Zealand Assistant Conductor-in-Residence. Together they rehearsed a diverse selection of music, with everything from Beethoven and Strauss to the Ghostbusters theme song.

The workshop culminated with a free public concert where an audience of 300 loved ones could appreciate the fruits of their mahi.

Auckland Phil’s Miriam McCombe stated "This event is one of the most meaningful days in the Learn & Participate calendar. The students and tutors at Sistema Aotearoa prepare all year for this workshop and concert, and it's so exciting to hear the music they've been practicing brought to life by the full orchestra surrounding them!

“What makes it even more special is the incredible support that we hear from their friends and whānau in the crowd. It's a truly special day of celebrating music and community."

Auckland Phil’s been having a big month on that front, just a few weeks after their Community Bash event brought together over 300 musicians and singers of all ages and skill levels in the Auckland Town Hall for a free afternoon of music-making - including an estimated 210 community instrumentalists.

Students weigh in on social media debate

Giving young creative minds the room to explore is also the driving force of the Geoff Lealand Student Challenge.

Charlotte Fry from Rangi Ruru Girls’ School in Christchurch was declared the winner for her eye-catching video covering the theme of the challenge: social media - love it or leave it?

Her response secured her the $1,000 first prize prize and $500 for her school's media studies department. Rosehill College’s Amya Sharma was awarded the $500 runner-up for her thoroughly researched essay.

Organised by the Better Public Media Trust, they received 4 times more entries than usual on the topic that’s become a nationwide debate - students motivated to give their views as the coalition government contemplates following Australia’s social media ban for under-16s, with an inquiry into online harms for young people, and two private members bills waiting to make it to parliament.

While the ‘grown-ups’ are looking to make their decisions, the youth have used this student challenge to have their voice heard.

Some of the students who entered the challenge support a ban. In a beautifully written piece, Westlake Girls High School’s Rachel Kim expresses “I know a world without social media might sound like a personal hell for some young teens. But if all your friends were in the same boat, would you still feel the need to post and perform your life?”

And as Addy Pilley from Albany Senior High School expresses in their essay, “If anything, young people should be part of designing the next generation of platforms. Imagine a social media network not built on profit. No ads. No data-mining. Just connection, creativity, and community. Imagine if safety and wellbeing were baked into the design—not tacked on after a tragedy.”

A creative outlet to be part of the debate - it’s an important expression from a generation that deserves to be heard.

Southern ties for Tā'i

From New York to Invercargill - artist Tā’i Paitai is leaving his mark everywhere he goes.

He’s preparing to begin a 12 week residency as the 2025 William Hodges Fellow, aft being being selected by the Southland Art Foundation.

Aotearoa born, Paitai has strong heritage ties to Rarotonga and Mangaia, with connections to Scotland and Samoa. He’s back in Auckland after having his work recognised at one of the most acclaimed art galleries in the world - his pieces now resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Fellowship is designed to bring significant visual artists from New Zealand to the heart of Southland to work within and respond to aspects of the southern landscape, environment and community. 

Southland Art Foundation chair, Alison Broad, notes “We were particularly drawn to Tā’i’s work, blending the traditional with contemporary through his weaving.” 

Paitai describes the residency as “a unique opportunity to immerse myself in the cultural and environmental context of Murihiku” - where he will explore the weaving of three interwoven stories using raranga kete techniques. 

As well as working with the Southern Institute of Technology and community arts groups, the residency culminates in an exhibition of works created during Paitai’s time in Southland.