Bring Pasifika Artists to Ōtautahi

Talofa! We’re excited to share that we’re bringing forth a new Pasifika Arts Festival in Ōtautahi this November. 

This is a significant event, as it has been over 15 years since we last had a Pasifika Arts Festival in Ōtautahi. 

This platform will serve as a launchpad for Pasifika performing artists across Aotearoa to incubate, develop, and premiere bold new works in dance, theatre, and music, igniting creativity, and strengthening Pacific identity in Ōtautahi. The fusion of heritage with innovation ensures that Pacific voices are amplified in the different spaces, stages, and workshops.

Polynesian Pages is led by Founder & Director,  Zandra Ah Jay-Maepu.

Zandra Ah Jay - Maepu is a NZ-born Samoan actor and proud graduate of the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts (PIPA). Encouraged by her PIPA teachers to create and share their own stories, Zandra produced theatre performances under Polynesian Pages. Since graduating in 2017, Zandra has gained invaluable experience working with various arts organisations, including The Christchurch Arts Festival, Tagata Moana Trust, and Audio Described Aotearoa. She is currently part of the Lima Productions Trust team and remains dedicated to growing Pasifika arts in Aotearoa. 

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Joining us on this journey is Pasifika performing artists, Lemau Creatives (Jasmine Leota & Isitolo Alesana) from Wellington and Island Vibes (Joanna Mika, Aisea Latu, Sefa Taouma, Haanz Fa'avae Jackson, Saale Ilaua, Nyssa Collins, Simon Savilli, Kevin Savilli, William Tuionetoa) from Auckland.

Polynesian Pages works alongside a range of local schools, artists, and performing arts groups, and is strongly supported by Lima Productions Trust, with mentorship from Olivia Taouma. 

Together, they bring experience in Pasifika theatre, music and dance; production, and community-led arts development projects. 

We want our storytellers thriving in Aotearoa!

We’re raising $5,000 through BOOSTED to support: 

• Travel
• Accommodation
• Artist Fees

This ensures visiting artists can participate without carrying the financial burden themselves, allowing them to focus on developing/delivering their best work. It also allows us to host and share our beautiful city with Pasifika artists who have never had the opportunity to showcase their art here in Ōtautahi.

We’re bringing Pasifika performing artists from across the motu to Ōtautahi to ignite a new Pasifika arts festival. Through live performances and workshops, we aim to inspire local artists, uplift our community, and strengthen networks across Aotearoa.

One of the highlights of the festival is the Community/Whānau Day, where everyone can come together to appreciate and celebrate Pasifika culture. Audiences can enjoy a variety of food, explore an arts market, attend Pasifika workshops and experience live performances in a welcoming, family-friendly environment.

The performance lineup features visiting artists such as Lemau Creatives and Island Vibes , along with local Pasifika dancers, musicians, and singers. By bringing artists together in this manner, we create opportunities for connection, shared learning, and future collaborations across regions.
 

Due to a lack of opportunities in Ōtautahi and financial sustainability, many talented artists seek work elsewhere or abandon the arts altogether in general.

By establishing a Pasifika Arts festival that will recur annually, we will create a platform for local Pasifika artists to grow and shine here. Our initiative aims to inspire, retain, encourage collaborations and nurture Ōtautahi-based Pasifika artists while supporting both emerging and mid-career Pasifika artists from around Aotearoa.

We hope that our tamaiti see themselves reflected on stage and that we foster a space that empowers and uplifts our communities. 

Join us in bringing our vision to life by uniting Pasifika artists from all over the motu right here in Ōtautahi, Christchurch!

If you are able, please make a donation today.

Fa’afetai lava!