Tākaro Tribe's vibrant Tongan-Language series "Tamaiki Va'inga" launches for Tongan Language Week
A new Lea-faka Tonga resource designed especially for tamaiki and their families.
Released to align with Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga (Tonga Language Week), a new animated series, Tamaiki Va’inga, is set to premiere on Thursday, 21 August on pmn.co.nz and YouTube. This beautiful new animation gives new Tongan flair to the wildly popular Māori animation Tākaro Tribe, and promises to be a powerful educational and cultural tool for Pacific children across Aotearoa and beyond.
A proud partnership between Pacific Media Network and acclaimed Māori production company Cinco Cine, with Nicole Hoey at the helm, Tamaiki Va’inga delivers entertainment and provides an engaging platform for lea faka-Tonga and uplifts the 2025 Tongan Language Week Theme - ‘Ko 'etau lea, ko e fe’unu mahu’inga ia ki he mo’ui ‘a e Tonga (Our language is a vital strand of our Tongan culture).
The new show features a recognisable voice cast - including actor, singer, and former Miss Universe New Zealand Diamond Langi, Choreographer and Actor,Lyncia Muller, Actors Richie Sikuea (Chief of War), Seluvaia Iloahefaiva and Sesilia Pusiaki (Brutal Lives, Inky Pinky Ponky) and making their voice acting debuts are Pesani Vi and Losa Tui.
The project is led by Tongan actor and language consultant Mana Tatafu (Young Rock, Zombies 4), who brings strong cultural knowledge and language expertise to the series. Reflecting on the language, Mana says, “Your ears always perk up when you hear the Tongan language anywhere unexpectedly because you identify with that— there’s a warmth that comes with it.”
Tamaiki Va‘inga proudly brings Tākaro Tribe to Lea Faka-Tonga for the very first time with three brand new episodes created especially for Tongan tamaiki and their families.
This exciting release celebrates the Tongan language and identity, and marks the continuation of a wider pan-Pacific journey for the series, building on the successful release of Tamaiti Satalo (Samoan) released earlier this year, with ‘Uānga Tākaro (Cook Islands) due for release later this year.
Celebrate Uike Lea Faka-Tonga with Tamaiki Va‘inga - available from Thursday 21 August on pmn.co.nz and YouTube/TākaroTribe.
ENDS
Media Contact:
Maegan Clarke
Digital Content Creator/PR
maegan@cincocine.co.nz
More from our fale:
PMN formalises partnership with Niue broadcaster for 2026 election coverage
New agreement with Broadcasting Corporation Niue delivers comprehensive, multi-platform election coverage for Niuean audiences at home and abroad
531pi makes historic move to FM frequency
The shift ushers in a new era for Pacific broadcasting in Auckland.
Pacific Media Network Partnership Strengthens Pacific Media for NZ Communities
The National Pacific Media Trust (NPMT), operating as Pacific Media Network (PMN), and the National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea (NBC PNG) sign a landmark Memorandum of Understanding.
PMN and Police partner to strengthen Pacific community connection and visibility in NZ
A renewed 20-year partnership between Pacific Media Network and New Zealand Police aims to boost trust, safety, and communication across Pasifika communities.