Showcasing emerging Pasifika artists

The Māngere Arts Centre in South Auckland recently hosted a sold-out event, "Jason's Lyrics," featuring five emerging Pasifika writers who showcased their works after an eight-week writing course.

The event highlighted the urgent need for more Pacific voices in storytelling and provided a platform for new creators.

Jason Manumu'a mentored emerging writers over eight weeks, culminating in their debut pieces on the night of Jason's Lyrics. Photo / PMN News Mary Afemata

“We need many more storytellers, especially Pacifica storytellers,” one passionate Pasifika Creative says.

Tongan actor and director Jason Manumu’a emphasised the importance of nurturing Pasifika and Māori writers, noting a critical gap in original Pasifika stories.

“There's a shortage of writers, and so there's a lot of actors, as you can see, but we need more stories,” he says.

The arts centre offered the showcase free to the community, encouraging broader participation.

Jason Manumu'a, a Pasifika creative known for acting, writing, and directing, mentored a group of emerging writers. Photo / PMN News Mary Afemata.

“Initially, it was just a part of trying to find ways to activate our space, the MAC,” Manumu’a said.

“Trying to see if we can do more activities in the space, like classes of some sort.”

He passionately highlighted the need to nurture more Pasifika and Māori writers.

“There’s a few, a handful of writers out there slowly writing material, but we've got so many performers coming out, probably not enough material to produce work, Pasifika work.”

He says many of today’s successful performers started their journeys at the centre.

Sau E Siva, a group that took its first steps at the Māngere Arts Centre, has blossomed and now produces high-calibre productions across Auckland.

Troy Tu'ua, performing arts manager at Māngere Arts Centre, is dedicated to giving Māori and Pasifika writers a platform to share their stories. Photo / Auckland Actors

“They’re running top-notch productions, getting big budgets, and travelling all around Auckland to the bigger theatres,” Manumu’a said. “But the Māngere Arts Centre is always their home.

Troy Tu’ua, the performing arts manager, expressed his commitment to helping artists connect and bring their stories to the stage, reflecting the community's need for storytelling avenues.

“I find whatever it takes to get them from our community and bring their work onto the stage,” he says.

“Platforms like this allow a pathway for our young Māori Pasifika practitioners to voice their stories.”

When asked about the future of supporting Pasifika writers at the Māngere Arts Centre, Tu’ua responded: “Absolutely. I guess, just a reflection of what the community came out and the response that they had.

“These weren't writers that everyone knew. They were literally people who were just interested or wanted to have a story to tell, and this gave them the platform.

“And if they were able to connect with that 230 that the audience seats on the night, it's a no-brainer. We've got to keep doing this.

“People are hungry. People are willing to tell their stories, and they just need that platform to give them that step forward into the idea in their head, or that story in their head, or their story that their parents or grandparents had told them.”

Fosa Hunt and her sister Maddison Leilua stumbled upon a free writers' workshop at Māngere Arts Centre on Instagram, leading them to showcase their script with valuable mentorship and support.

The Kofe Shop brought to life the essence of Ōtara, setting the scene against the backdrop of the town centre.

Reflecting on their writing journey, she said, “I want to do something to dedicate it to where we're from.”

Hunt emphasises the importance of more Pasifika writers sharing their stories. “We don’t have many Pasifika storytellers out there. We do, but the work is not put out there.

Co-writing The Kofe Shop with her sister, Madison Leilua opened Fosa Hunt’s eyes to new possibilities. Photo / Facebook Fosa Hunt

Co-writing The Kofe Shop with her sister opened Hunt’s eyes to new possibilities.

“I just had this crazy idea to share stories about my Nana, and the workshop helped us create and start writing stories about her life. That was the main inspiration for doing the workshop, even though it was random.

“This has inspired us to keep writing and being in these spaces, pushing for more stories of our people because they deserve to be out there. The world deserves to hear our stories.”

Actor Ma’aola Faasavala also shone brightly, performing a solo in Diamond Langi’s piece Where’s Mele, a close friend from The Actors Program in 2021.

“This is the second theatre piece I’ve done that’s a Pacific Island piece. My first was Moemiti, and my second is Where’s Mele, a Tongan piece, which is so beautiful.”

Actor Ma'aola Faasavala urges the importance of sharing Pacific stories. Photo / Facebook The Actor's Program

She accepted her role without hesitation, trusting Langi’s storytelling ability.

“Diamond doesn't do light pieces. She does pieces that go straight to the heart. She can do lightness, but from the actors' programme, I've learned that Diamond is really deep, and we like to tell those stories that people tend to shy away from.”

Faasavala urges the importance of sharing Pacific stories.

“There’s a lot more of us out there, and it'd be good if we could be seen as well. I'm really thankful for Diamond's one because I just love doing pieces on our people, to be honest.”

Angelique Laban, part of the enthusiastic sold-out crowd, said she was captivated by the diversity displayed by Pasifika writers.

Ma'aola Faasalava performed "Where's Mele?" a powerful and emotional solo performance that captivated the audience and brought some to tears. Photo / Faceboook Diamond Langi

“The acting was phenomenal. There were many times when I forgot that some of, if not all, the actors were in different pieces, playing different characters. I liked that everyone in the crowd was receptive to the art,” Laban says.

Highlighting the critical role of Pasifika writers, Laban said, “Only our people can best tell the stories of our people.

Jason’s lyrics was a vibrant celebration of Pasifika's creativity and the potential for more narratives to emerge.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.