Pasifika creativity took centre stage at the Beehive on Wednesday night (16 October) with eight artists having their talents recognised and rewarded.

The 2024 edition of Creative New Zealand's (CNZ) annual Arts Pasifika Awards saw a wide range of disciplines and genres represented - adding to the rich legacy of the Awards that have been running since 1996. The seven Award categories ended up with eight winners over-all.

One artist whose name has been mentioned plenty of times by politicians in recent years - but most often in a divisive, political football fashion - was finally being spoken off in the Beehive with the respect she deserves.

Powerhouse poet Tusiata Avia was awarded the coveted $25,000 Senior Pacific Artist Award, adding her name to a legacy of Pasifika creative leaders who have had such a huge impact on their community. She's fast becoming one of Aotearoa's most awarded artists, with a place in the New Zealand Order of Merit, Arts Laureate, the first female Pasifika poet to win an Ockham Book prize and the 2023 Prime Minister's Award for literature just some of her stand out accolades in the last few years - all while releasing a string of thought-provoking and fearless works that have been hits in written word and on stage.

The $10,000 Toa Pacific Award is always a special spotlight, recognising the contribution of a Pasifika artist with the lived experience of disability. But this year, it was a spotlight shared.

Max Stowers has been making his mark on the music industry for over 45 years. He was one of the first composers in Aotearoa to release a Pacific jazz album with Malaga, made of his own original music and infusing Pacific instruments such as log drums and ukelele. Stowers is a role model for his community, mentoring and tutoring young Pasifika musicians. 

Fellow Toa Pacific Award winner Falefatu Carreras Enari was celebrated for his ability to weave both modern and traditional Pasifika motifs through his work, depicting his identity and experiences.

The Enari name is a special one at these awards, with Falefatu's late father - opera singer Iosefa Enari - the titular figure of the $7,500 Iosefa Enari Memorial Award for excellence in classical music, this year won by tenor Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono.

From winning the the Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Prize for Potential at the 2022 Lexus Song Quest, the Lockwood New Zealand Aria Competition and Australia’s premiere singing competition, the Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Award, against singers with decades more experience, Fonoti-Fuimaono has worked with most opera companies in New Zealand and is forging a strong reputation.

Another impressive musical act, Signature Choir, received the $10,000 Pacific Heritage Arts Award. Founded in 2018 to promote Pacific language and culture, co-directors Fepuleai Helen Tupai and Jadrah Tupai have led the group to many successes, including winning Best Gospel Artis at this year's Pacific Music Awards and developing and performing the ‘Mana Moana’ showcase of traditional Pacific song with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

A well known figure in the creative community, Edith Amituana’i was announced as the recipient of the $10,000 Pacific Contemporary Artist Award for her visual storytelling talents. The inaugural recipient of the Marti Friedlander Photography Award, and the first Walters Prize nominee of Pacific descent, Amituana’i has previously been honoured as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to photography and community. She is now using film as another way to put her compassionate lens on Pacific experiences. 

The 40-year creative career of multi-media and performance artist Leafa Wilson - AKA Olga Hedwig Krause - was celebrated with the $10,000 Special Recognition Award Leafa Wilson. An accomplished artist, art curator and writer, as well as being respected for her experimental performance and installation art, Wilson has contributed to the ongoing vitality of Pacific arts through her involvement in community groups, workshops, and projects.  

Careers of great potential are also recognised with the $7,500 Emerging Pacific Artists Award, this year going to Sione Tuilailala Monū. Working at the junctions of identity and artforms, their practice explores identity, family and Pasifika queer experience in the diaspora across the mediums of photography, moving-image, fashion and adornment, and performance.

Minister for Arts, Culture & Heritage Paul Goldsmith hosted the event and announced the Arts Council’s creation of an eighth award category from 2025, which will focus on business and creative enterprise. Arts Council Chair Kent Gardner states the sustainability of artists and growing the creative economy with global opportunities is a big focus of the Arts Council’s Pacific Arts Strategy 2023 –2028.

CNZ also used the parliamentary occasion to launch a  a new partnership with Playmarket to see Pasifika plays reach a wider audience.

Eight Pasifika New Zealand plays that premiered between 2002 and 2019 have now been published as the Tala series.

Makerita Urale, CNZ Senior Manager Pacific Arts says the publishing initiative under the Pacific Arts Strategy is valuable for the writers as well as potential performers and audiences.

“Supporting Pasifika artists and practitioners to establish and grow income is part of our vision for powerful and resilient Pacific arts. Sales of these beautiful editions provide royalties to support the writers.”

Playmarket Director Murray Lynch adds professional theatres and companies have made significant investments in producing local content, so publishing these proven works is timely.

“Our 2023 survey of theatres showed 89% of works were New Zealand plays, with 12% from Pasifika creatives. This series adds to the available works and I expect the Tala series will be warmly received by theatres hungry for local content.” 

Among those published are Birds by Dianna Fuemana, DF Mamea's Still Life With Chickens (which won the 2017 Adam NZ Play Award and Best Play by a Pasifika Playwright), Urban Hymns by Mīria George, The Gangster’s Paradise by Leki-Jackson-Bourke (a former recipient of the Emerging Pacific Artist), Victor Rodger's Ranterstantrum, The Eel and Sina by J. Soo Choon,  Odd Daphne by Joshua Iosefo, and Grace Iwashita-Taylor's My Own Darling.

Flush with finalists

The 2024 New Zealand Television Awards finalists are out, and it is an extensive list to traverse.

From news to sports events, reality TV, scripted drama and technical expertise, there are 121 nominations all up for the 22 November event- from over 490 entries. 

While all the big players in TV and online streaming are there, it's wonderful to see the likes of Coconet TV getting nods for Best Pasifika Programme (Untold Pacific History) and Best Children's Programme (Fresh Fairytales 2).

After The Party by Lingo Pictures and Luminous Beast received the most nominations with ten - the TVNZ series up for Best Actress (Robyn Malcolm), Best Actor (Peter Mullan), Best Supporting Actress (Tara Canton), Best Supporting Actor (Elz Carrad), Best Director (Peter Salmon) Best Editing (Denise Haratzis), Best Cinematography (Dave Cameron), Best Production Design (Melissa Spicer), Best Script (Dianne Taylor) and the coveted Best Drama.

Their biggest rivals in most of the categories is South Pacific Pictures’ comedy-drama Far North with seven nominations, with Best Actor (Temuera Morrison), Best Director (David White), Best Cinematography (Adam Luxton) Best Contribution to a Soundtrack (Tom Miskin, Alan Kidd, Mike Bayliss, Steve Finnigan), Best Original Score (Moniker), Best Costume Design (Briar Vivian) and Best Makeup Design (Maya Bailey).
 
Battling out for the Best Drama title with After The Party is TVNZ megachurch series Testify - which is also a finalist in Best Cinematography (Simon Tutty), Best Post Production Design (Alana Cotton), Best Editing (Eric de Beus) and Best Costume Design (Sarah Aldridge) and Great Southern Television's Friends Like Her, which has Best Actress (Morgana O’Reilly), Best Supporting Actress (Tess Haubrich), Best Supporting Actor (Jarod Rawiri) and Best Script (Sarah Kate Lynch).

Gibson Group & Homegrown Pictures comedy Miles From Nowhere has also done well for itself, nominated Best Supporting Actress (Roxie Mohebbi), Best Comedy Script (Mohamed Hassan) and is vying for Best Comedy along with Greenstone TV's Kid Sister, 7 Days from  The Downlow Concept / Warner Bros. Discovery and The Motherhood Anthology - Give Me Babies from Eyes and Ears and Oriental Maidens.

Also noteworthy among the many worthy of recognition -the 8 Pan-Asian Women Directors of Kāinga have been listed as a collective finalist in the Best Director: Drama / Comedy Drama for their efforts with Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions collab with RNZ.

Whakaata Māori's coverage of both Ngā Tohu Matariki o te Tau 2023 and Ngā Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa have earned nominations in the Best Live Event category alongside the Super Rugby final and Anzac 2024.

And fresh from dominating the screen categories (again) at the Silver Scrolls, Karl Sölve Steven could be adding to his trophy tally after being nominated for Best Original Score for Black Coast Vanishings (alongside Rob Thorne), competing with other award-winning musos in Moniker (Far North) and Andrew Keoghan and Reb Fountain (Escaping Utopia). 

Reflecting on his recent Scroll success, Steven told The Lowdown "Winning the double is still sinking in to be honest, but I'm starting to realise that it's rather a big moment and one that's absolutely humbling.  I'm so very glad to share it with my co-writers Rob and Jason - making things together with other people is such a wonderful part of the 'art life'. 

"Both awards are equally special to me; if someone sees fit to give me a prize I try not to look a gift horse in the mouth!"

Spades of success

There's already been some screen success to report with the 26th annual SPADA Screen Industry Awards. 

Jason Tāhū Taylor (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato, Ngāti Tama, Te Āti-Awa) won the Emerging Producer Award - a new category that recognises the creativity, innovation, and dedication of up-and-coming producers with a a 12-month bespoke mentorship from Principal Sponsor Hinterland’s Managing Director Sharon Menzies, plus a 12-month SPADA membership. 

Taylor - who has The Barber Shop Sessions and Hi-Vis for RNZ -told The Lowdown "Receiving the inaugural SPADA Emerging Producer Award is an immense honour and a pivotal milestone in my career. This recognition, along with the incredible prize, will empower me to bring our cultural stories to the screen, supporting the vitality of our industry and ensuring that fresh, diverse voices are amplified."

The runner-up in the Emerging Producer category was Joyce Wong, whose satirical series Camp Be Better was released on TVNZ+ last week (Wong and the creative team profiled here on The Big Idea), the prixe including business planning support and a 12-month SPADA membership. 

Wong told The Lowdown "It's amazing to be recognised by SPADA and to receive much needed mentoring from Hinterland. As a pan-asian producer, we are still sorely represented in the producing community and I'm extremely privileged to be representing my community through this achievement. 

"There are so many creatives who have paved the way for me, and it's truly humbling to recognise them at the awards night. I hope through this opportunity, our funding bodies and producers will continue to support diversifying their crew and talent. Our stories do matter and by uplifting and mentoring us, it will help our industry to innovate and grow. "

Angela Cudd was awarded the SPADA Independent Producer of the Year Award - a proven performer with a body of work including When Bob Came, Uproar and Brutal Lives.

Cudd told The Lowdown "This tohu represents lots of long hours, worked weekends, sleepness nights, missed social events and it also represents lots of laughs on set, comradery with peers, creative exploration and love & support from both screen legends and future screen legends. 

"In many ways, it's a little Māori girl's dream come true and to receive it in front of my māmā made it all the better. To have my name on a list of alumni like Ainsley Gardiner, Orlando Stewart, Cliff Curtis and Chelsea Winstanley marks a special moment in my career. It's a real treat to be given the opportunity to pause and be proud of the mahi that producers do. 

Television veteran Andrew Shaw was honoured with the SPADA Industry Champion Award for a career that has spanned nearly 50 years - starting as the teenage host of TVNZ children’s shows before moving into directing and producing, and then significant industry leadership roles.

SPADA President Irene Gardiner states of Shaw, “Andrew has done so much for our sector – he’s worked in a huge variety of roles and always advocated for the industry and helped and mentored the people working in it.”

Funding cut realities

While that all sounds glitz and glamour for those who work behind or in front of the camera - the black cloud still hovers.

SPADA's Gardiner has also address the ongoing cutbacks at TVNZ, describing them as "very concerning for the local production sector." 

She details "While media coverage has mostly focused on cuts to News, it has also been reported that general local content production is likely to be merged with News and Current Affairs, and Sport.

"SPADA is concerned about what this could mean in terms of budget gouging if money is needed in the two other areas. We would like to see a ring-fenced TVNZ local production budget that helps to protect our industry's sustainability and preserves our New Zealand voice and the TV shows that help to create it."

Gardiner renewed her calls for international TV streaming companies to be regulated to support the local industry "The Government has given positive indications that this is on the cards, but legislation takes time, and our industry is in a very vulnerable state at the moment."

Highlighting that budget cuts at both TVNZ and Warner Bros Discovery (Three) has seen the sector lise arouns $50 million in spending this year, Gardiner's appealing for screen funding agencies NZ On Air, the New Zealand Film Commission, and Te Māngai Pāho to be funded at a more sustainable level. 

"As well as the cultural importance of New Zealand content, we need to keep domestic production strong enough to continue to contribute to the New Zealand economy in terms of export dollars and New Zealand intellectual property. We also need a strong local production sector to feed the international side of our industry, which makes billions of dollars for the New Zealand economy."

The people have spoken

The last of the World of WearableArt (WOW) prizes have been handed out (all other winners on display and detailed here) - with sisters Lauren Kidd and Frances Kidd (Ngāti Toa Rangatira) announced as the winners of the People's Choice Award.

The two full-time teachers - Lauren as Head of English at Motueka High School and Frances at Mapua Primary School - had already been awarded third place in the Aotearoa section with their garment Te Ao Mārama, impressing audiences at the WOW Dream Awake show.

Reflecting on their win, the sisters stated “The whole experience is incredible. After meeting all the designers and seeing their works, we truly understand the time and effort that goes into creating these garments. Our piece came from a meaningful place, and we’re so pleased that the audience enjoyed it too.

“The lighting element played a crucial role in our design, embodying the concept of illumination from darkness. This is reflected in the garment's title, Te Ao Mārama, meaning ‘out of the darkness there is light’.”

Created over six months Te Ao Mārama was inspired by, and a tribute to their late father, an artist known for his stained-glass works. Crafted from painted silk, glass, lighting cable and lights, Te Ao Mārama represents the story of Papatūānuku (earth mother), and Tāwhirimātea’s (God of the weather) journey to be with his father (Ranginui) in the sky.

“Our dad passed away three years ago. While cleaning up his things, we found many of his designs, most of which were native birds which he loved, so we felt it was a beautiful way to pay tribute to him,” Lauren says.

The sisters plan to use their $2,500 prize money to invest in new materials and resources for their next WOW creation, with entries to the 2025 WOW Competition opening at the end of this month.

“The whole WOW experience was amazing from start to finish. Designers Day was a vibrant atmosphere, inspiring us as we connected with fellow creators from diverse backgrounds. We also want to pay tribute to Mollie Gardiner, who modeled the garment for us—she truly brought it to life.”

Laureates countdown

Speaking of Awards events - one of the biggest on the creative calendar is coming up this week.

The annual Arts Laureates Gala takes place in Tāmaki Makaurau on Friday (18 October), with further additions to one of the creative sector's most exclusive clubs.

Arts Foundation General Manager Jessica Palalagi told The Lowdown that the excitement is building for one of the organisation's most anticipated nights of the year. 

"We can’t wait to welcome 600 of our community to celebrate the 2024 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureates, including the very first recipients of our two new awards. 

"These eight exceptional artists are not only masters of their craft, but trailblazers shaping the future of creativity in Aotearoa. It’s going to be an unforgettable evening, full of inspiration, celebration, and a deep appreciation for the incredible talent we’re lucky to have here in New Zealand.”

We have the announcement of the new Laureates - with their reactions - here on The Big Idea.

Meteoric rise

Award-winning performer, writer and producer Cian Parker (Ngāpuhi) is taking on a new leadership role - announced as the new General Manager of The Meteor Theatre.

She's taking over the position from Deborah Nudds, who is passing on the torch after ten years at the helm.

Parker's achieved plenty in her career to date - and has been long signalled as one to watch.

Premiering Sorry for Your Loss at The Meteor back in 2019, Parker's racked up accolades like the New Playwright Award at the Wellington Theatre Awards, the Ngā Manu Pīrere Award at Te Waka Toi Awards, one of the Arts Foundation's Springboard Awards and been Company Producer for Equal Voices Arts.

“I am honored to be the new General Manager of The Meteor Theatre in Kirikiriroa. The space has played a significant role throughout my career, and has been the home I have continued to return to. The Waikato arts ecosystem is not only exciting but brimming with potential, and I am ready to foster creativity and engage with multiple communities within this role.

"Deborah's contributions to the space have been invaluable, it is truly an honor to take over the reins. She has been a backbone for me throughout the years, as a mentor, a soundboard, and a cheerleader.”

Having managed The Meteor Theatre since it was gifted to the One Victoria Trust in 2014, Nudds has overseen the development of this community hub through challenging times, into an iconic venue for the performing arts community of Aotearoa. She'll now take her depth of experience to Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, Waikato Museum as Visitor Experience Manager. 

Nudds notes “I’ve had one of the best roles in creative Kirikiriroa for the last ten years, working with hundreds of artists and welcoming thousands of people, and am proud of the community we’ve built here. 

"The Meteor will always be in my heart, but with a renovated building, more funding certainty, and a professional team in place, it’s the perfect time for a new person to take this creative space into the future. Cian is absolutely that person, her journey started here and she is the strategic leader The Meteor needs.”

Nudds’ last day at The Meteor will be this Friday (18 October) and Parker begins the role in mid November.   

Deep South dream realised

Joining a list of creatives that includes Sir Vincent O’Sullivan, Sir Roger Hall, Dame Gillian Karawe Whitehead, and Dick Frizzell is an achievement many would dream of.

That dream has come true for Award-winning Dunedin novelist, Dr Laurence Fearnley, has been selected as the latest artist in residence at the picturesque Henderson House in Alexandra, Central Otago - that boasts an impressive alumni.

Fearnley explains, “The chance to take up a residency at Henderson House in Alexandra is one I treasure. I can't wait to be fully immersed in such a beautiful location with time to look around, think, and write. I know that living in Henderson House with the freedom to work will have a huge impact on my writing life. I am very grateful for this wonderful opportunity and the generosity and support of the Trust in making the house available.

“I have been fortunate to spend the past twenty-six years of my life writing and publishing novels and works of nonfiction. The majority of my work has centred on stories related to the South Island, with a strong focus on the southern region of Otago. 

"Stunning locations and rural communities have drawn my attention time after time, and I feel a strong pull to continue writing about places that tend to be overlooked due to their distance from the main urban centres."

Part of the residency will see Fearnley spend time running workshops and giving talks to the local community, while working on her new book.

Get your Phil

Auckland Philharmonia’s announced its 2025 Season - a line up of over 40 concerts featuring internationally acclaimed artists from here and abroad. 

Among the soloists confirmed for Soloists performing next year include regular Auckland Phil collaborators James Ehnes, who joins the orchestra with a two-week residency, and Spanish pianist Javier Perianes. The season also features debuts from major international artists including guitarist JIJI, cellist Daniel Müller-Schott, and conductor Pierre Bleuse - as well as collaborations with local treasures Bic Runga and Ria Hall as well as the usual smattering of family favourite performances in what has become a broad offering appealing to a wide range of music lovers.

Diana Weir, Auckland Philharmonia’s Chief Executive, states, “Whether you enjoy timeless masterpieces by Beethoven and Mahler, contemporary works from global and local composers, or unique performances by legendary New Zealand musical stars alongside the orchestra, this season offers music experiences for all tastes and backgrounds. I’m delighted to share this season with you and hope you can join us next year as we connect, inspire, and enrich the lives of Aucklanders through music.”

"I can't wait to showcase our talented musicians, performing with these wonderful international artists, through this incredible season of music," says Music Director Giordano Bellincampi.

Shiyeon Sung, Principal Guest Conductor, will be back to lead the orchestra in 2025, conducting programmes featuring fellow Korean Clara-Jumi Kang, who returns to the Auckland Phil for the third time, while another friend of the orchestra, British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor - who was recently named in Gramophone magazine’s top 50 greatest all-time pianists - is also making his way back to Tāmaaki Makaurau.

Poetry up in lights

If you're walking through Auckland CBD in the coming days, it's worth a visit to Bledisloe Lane to see the Lightbox Poems Pop Up - in celebration of over 40 years of Poetry Live in Auckland. 

It's only up until the weekend, but features works from 16 poets representing the history and diversity of Poetry Live  including the likes of Renee Liang 梁文蔚 , Doug Poole, Serie Barford and Shane Hollands.