Kokonati Talk

04/11/2024

28/10/2024

Episode 4 is out now! I talanoa with Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi of Greenhouse Coworking about their Art for Change Initiative.

She’s brought together muralist Jack Eastgate and emerging artist Hefrani Barnes and Mele Nabola.

🎧to the full ep👉🏾 https://open.spotify.com/episode/6b5wc0iWb1TBkwQbNAm0qJ?si=aXtCfbVZSrqoBJ47mRAV3w

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23/10/2024

18/10/2024

13/10/2024

To have this quilt, hand made by my paternal grandmother, Bubu Mereia Sauvukivuki (1923-1971) in our exhibition “Solesolevaki” means so much to us. It has returned to Aotearoa for the first time since the late 1960s, but has spent a lifetime being part of our family moving with us from Fiji to Australia, London and Brussels, and back again. It holds love and stories, sadness, memories and deep reverence.

My father’s text that sits alongside his mother’s quilt is a generous and deeply personal insight to the power of quilts and blankets, these seemingly simple textiles that share our most intimate spaces.

In “Many Hands Make a Quilt: Short Histories of Radical Quilting”, author Jess Bailey writes, “Quilts are tender, fierce and reliable. They are provocative and reparative. Quilts hold people and stories. As they conform to the unique shape of a body beneath their cascading surface, they affirm the vitality of love and safety.” - Amene.

Our exhibition, “Solesolevaki” features five family quilts, each displayed around and in relation to Bubu Mereia’s quilt. Check them out, as part of a wider expression of our family and the ways we experience, understand and archive connection, memory and vanua (whenua).

🌺 “Solesolevaki” is on until 16 November at Gallery, Level 1, 300 Karangahape Road, central Auckland.
🌺 Tuesday - Friday 10am-4pm
🌺 Saturday 11am-4pm

📐 Exhibition design by .nz

13/10/2024

The first year Conservatorium of Dance students were excited to take the stage at the last night and showcase the talent and creativity of these hard working youth.

The Conservatorium of Dance is Fijis only tertiary dance program. The Conservatorium based in Nadi offers a Diploma in Dance that is Accredited by the Fiji Higher Education Commission.
The Institution offers 20 scholarship places every year to students from around Fiji between the age of 17-23. Intakes are done every year around Fiji for n January and February.
The scholarship students also receive free accommodation and living allowance while they study their Diploma and they are guaranteed full time employment in the growing Creative Industries upon graduation.
This Contemporary Dance piece is performed by first year students of the Conservatorium of Dance and has been choreographed by Conservatorium graduate Tupou Dreunimisimisi.

19/09/2024

Day 2 of has come to a close. It’s been a day filled with deep discussions, meaningful workshops, and valuable insights that are helping shape the…

19/09/2024

11/09/2024

Tonight I recorded an episode at the rehearsal of Fiji’s up and coming hip hop artists. Their show is tomorrow night at the Hill Top Bar and the view does not disappoint.

I was blown away wth our next generation of story tellers. Their lyrics are raw, vibrant and impassioned. It paints the real Fiji through the eyes of our young people in our yasayasa.

Biggest massive shoutout to Chris, First Fighter Laisiasa Dave Lavaki , Thelma Trey for allowing me to talanoa with this amazing group.

11/09/2024

Nai dusidusi ni matanicagi (Fijian wind compass) - most likely to be the first ever published Fijian wind compass by Kaiafa Ledua.

Fiji Arts Council
ITaukei Trust Fund Board - TTFB
Ministry of itaukei Affairs
Pacific-Community-SPC
European Union in the Pacific
Pacific Energy
Uto ni Yalo Trust
Samoa Voyaging Society
Faafaite - Tahiti Voyaging Society

08/09/2024

Did you know that a particular artisan back in 1978 conceived a wonderful idea of combining wool weaving with traditional masi design?

07/09/2024

“Tonight I pay homage to my Rotuman heritage by wearing a gown that is inspired by ancient cultural regalia, the Suru, the tefui lei, tit vesves and the ape’i worn in ancient times. The fine intricate weaving our Rotuman women was so sought after in ancient times that it adorned many royal family throughout the Maohi kingdom. I wear this ape’i close to my heart, adorn myself with the treasures of my ancestors. To adorn royalty in other Maohi nations, our womens woven treasures were exchanged for black pearls and mother of pearl shells. This tefui lei which I am wearing today depicts those ancient connections throughout the Maohi kingdom and the important trade routes that kept our creative and cultural practices and relationships strong. My hair piece is inspired by the Suru radiating the sun. As I look up to the sky I am always reminded of the wisdom of our elders and ancestors who are held in the stars and it is our birds, which are depicted by the feathers in my hair, that soar the skies visiting with our ancestors. Our ancestors as they went to battle to protect the land and their people, would also wear tit vesves durable fibre that enabled them to run through the ocean, across the land, defending their homes. The skirt I wear inspired by the tit vesves and speaks of our peoples mana and endurance.

In my adornment tonight I walk in step with our elders, proud of my rotuman heritage and remind myself as a young person that as we move forward in this modern world we also have to take the time to heed the wisdom of our elders and to ensure we learn the songs and stories that hold important knowledge teaching how to live sustainably and wisely. Faiakse’ea ma alalum”.

Designer: Letila Mitchell
Design Team: Iane Tavo, Laisiasa Davetawalu, Zelda Rafai
Queen Contestant: Miss Goodman Fielder, Shannon Patrick
Photo taken by: Lei

07/09/2024

12/11/2023

Indigenous language experts say a new mobile keyboard app that translates English words into Aboriginal languages could be a game changer when it comes to learning and preserving First Nations languages!

02/11/2023

The 'RA SA CARIBA: Reloaded' album is now streaming on YouTube.

Don't forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button and the 🔔 icon for notifications to new content uploads!

Cover Art:
photography - Mereia Rova
layout & design - Epi Nasaroa
styling - Epeli Tuibeqa

29/10/2023

The Mama T's talanoa with two of our Pacific Ocean champions, Rose Kautoke and Bill Waqalevu. Bill is Senior Researcher (PhD) at Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue in Abu Dhabi and Rose Kautoke, Senior Crown Counsel, Head of the Legal Advice and International Law Division, Attorney General's Office and....