First soprano for Mana Moana, Indira Stewart. Photo/Facebook, edited by Aui'a Vaimaila Leatinu'u
Photo/Facebook, edited by Aui'a Vaimaila Leatinu'u
Arts
Well-known Tongan journalist shed tears at Pacific classical musical
1News's Indira Stewart encourages Pacific communities to experience Mana Moana, saying both they and Auckland deserve it.
Aui'a Vaimaila Leatinu'u
Published
13 September 2023, 9:12am
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Sponsored by the New Zealand School of Tourism
Sponsored by the New Zealand School of Tourism
For one night only a blend of Pacific and classical music will grace Auckland City's Spark Arena in November.
The musical, Mana Moana, boasts an impressive one-hundred-and-fifty-eight singers and musicians, showcasing the rich melodies of traditional Pacific songs.
A part of its first soprano is well-known Tongan journalist and singer Indira Stewart.
"Perhaps the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and their music isn't as relevant to [the Pacific community]," she says.
"But what we don't realise is we actually hear it everyday in the music and movies that we watch [and] the content that we see."
Stewart says her involvement began with covering last year's show in Wellington.
"I just thought 'wow this is going to beautiful,' but I didn't know what to expect.
"Within five minutes I looked at my producer who's palagi and she looked at me and we're both crying.
"I've never heard our stories and our language performed in that way. But we deserve that kind of platform, especially 'Okalni (Auckland) - the biggest Polynesian hub in the world - is what they often say."
Tickets for the show next month are available tomorrow on livenation.
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