Tavita Nielsen-Mamea wins university writer's residency award

Tavita Nielsen-Mamea has been named Emerging Pasifika Writer in Residence for 2020 at Victoria University of Wellington’s International Institute of Modern Letters.

Tavita Nielsen-Mamea says he's excited at his appointment as Emerging Pasifika Writer in Residence for 2020 at Victoria University of Wellington’s International Institute of Modern Letters.

Tavita, a Dunedin-raised writer of Samoan and Tuvaluan descent who hails from the villages of Safotu, Safune, Apia, and Nukufetau, will use the residency to work on a new theatre project.

His first play Au Ko Tuvalu played at this year's Wellington Fringe Festival, where it was awarded Outstanding Ensemble and Tavita the Most Promising Emerging Artist.

It can be seen in Auckland at The Auckland Performing Arts Centre from 23–26 October.

Au Ko Tuvalu is set in Tuvalu, the homeland of the world's first climate change refugees, on its final day of evacuations. It follows a family watching their history, culture, and beloved homeland swept away in front of their eyes.

Tavita says: "Being awarded the Residency gives me creative space and time to write and shape my craft, but it also gives me the opportunity to give back to my community, with the shows that I write.

"Being of Samoan and Tuvaluan decent, it is important to me to write about my journey as a young New Zealand-born Pasifika artist, as well as sharing the many teachings of my Samoan and Tuvaluan heritage with Aotearoa.

"This residency allows me to write my own stories that reflect my family, ancestors, villages, culture and community."

Tavita will receive a stipend of $15,000 to write and research his new work at the IIML for three months.