‘Soul resuscitation’: Pioneering Vagahau Niue and cultural connection down South

For New Zealand-born Tagata Niue, connecting with culture and their Vagahau is a journey of patience and intentional space-making.

In Southland, helping to lead that movement is Tracey Taulu Kuresa, a mother, grandmother and Whānau Ora navigator for the Pacific Islands Advisory Charitable Trust (PACT).

Born in Wellington with roots to Tamakautoga Village in Niue, Kuresa has spent half her life in Murihiku (Southland).

As part of Tau Fifine Niue, a Niue South women’s collective, Kuresa’s community is celebrating Niue Language Week with a special market, after attracting around 200 visitors last year.

“This year we have really aimed for having as many people as we can come in and celebrate Niue Language Week with us,” Kerusa tells PMN Niue.

“I think we're soft [people], we can be gentle. We don't want to aggressively pull people in. It's really based on inviting, really inviting people into our space and if they come, they come.”

Watch Tracey Taulu Kuresa's full interview below.

Kuresa says they are striving to embody this year’s theme: Gahua auloa ke fakaako fakamalolō e Vagahau Niue - Working together to diligently teach and strengthen Vagahau Niue.

“I'd say that the spirit of Niue is really rising within us, and we all [feel] it inside. That’s a beautiful thing. So I'm really just drawing in those strengths that I have as a navigator.”

“l use a phrase called ‘soul resuscitation, and that is a soul space, relying on the vā between us, ensuring that there is a safe and respectful place that we can come together and meet, and have that special talanoa.”

Niue South started at the PACT-run Invercargill Pacific Island Market with a single table of Chelsea Buns and cookies for sale, run by Kerusa’s “gorgeous little entrepreneurial” grandson.

Kerusa says building cultural capability far from Niue relies on shared learning.

A visit last year from Laupapa Trust, an Auckland based cultural group that focuses on the preservation, promotion, and revitalisation of Vagahau Niue, sparked inspiration for Niue South.

The group has since expanded to deliver workshops such as traditional foufou (floral head garlands) making and cooking cultural foods like takihi and poke.

For Kerusa, it’s about preserving and sustaining intergenerational knowledge.

“We feel we're in a creative force at the moment, and we're building momentum.”

Kerusa says it is wonderful, but they’re still learning and exploring what they can do, respectfully taking in more of their culture, and acknowledging their matua.

“We don't have many matua, but we really do, we cherish the magafaoa, the connection with our people. I guess you could say that we are the pioneers of what we're doing here.”

Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue - Niue Language Week ends on 24 October. Click here for more information and nationwide events details.