Mana Moana Pasifika Voices is supported by Aotearoa New Zealand and coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Mana Moana and Storybox, with the support of Pacific Islands poets and artists, to amplify the call of the Pacific for action on the climate. These videos have been developed to be screened during the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and other relevant climate change events.
Mana Moana is a curated artist led collaboration between Māori and Pasifika visual artists, musicians, writers and choreographers to produce short art films.
CURATORS
Karlo ’Ulu’ave Mila
Special Curator
2021
Dr Karlo Mila (Tongan / Pākehā) is an award-winning poet, mother, writer, activist and researcher. She is the Programme Director of the Mana Moana Experience at Leadership New Zealand. The kaupapa of this programme is to vitalise and prioritise Pasifika ancestral knowledge in contemporary contexts.
Audrey Brown-Pereira
Special Curator, Poetry
2022 - 2023
Audrey Brown-Pereira is a published poet and regional public servant, who has lived and worked in the Pacific region for more than 20 years. Executive Officer of SPREP since 2014, she has worked for the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, National University of Samoa, and the Samoa private sector. Her poetry collections include ‘Threads of Tivaevae: Kaleidoskope of Kolours’ with Veronica Vaevae by Steele Roberts; ‘Passages in Between I(s)lands’ by Ala Press; and ‘a-wake-(e)nd’ by Saufo’i Press set for release in 2023. Born on the island of Rarotonga and raised in South Auckland, she is of Cook Islands Maori and Samoan descent.
artistic directors
Rachael Rakena
Director / Mana Moana Curator
Rachael Rakena (Ngāi Tahu, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Pākehā) coined the term ‘Toi Rerehiko’ to describe and locate her own video/ digital/ electronic-based art practice in terms of continuum, motion, and collaboration. Exhibiting internationally for 20 years and lecturing for 25 years she is an Associate Professor at Whiti o Rehua School of Art, Massey University.
Michael Bridgman
Director / Mana Moana Curator
Mike Bridgman (Tonga, Ngāti Pākeha) is a multi-interdisciplinary digital artist and has been working within the digital realm for over 20 years across many different industries including film, theatre, television, print, web, video games, music videos, public installations.
Mike is a lead arts coordinator and technician at Whiti o Rehua School of Art, Massey University.
Laughton Kora
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Laughton Kora (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Pūkeko), with his incredible voice and immense talent has been at the forefront of New Zealand music for over the past decade. Laughton has been playing music since the age of 6 appearing on stage as part of his father’s band until 17 years old when he won Smoke Free Rock Quest. His band Aunty Beatrice toured New Zealand and released a single. He moved to Queenstown and formed Soul Charge with members KP (Sunshine Sound System) and P Digsss (Shapeshifter). In 2001 he headed to Wellington and formed KORA (2003-2012) with his brothers.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Established in 2010, Storybox is an award-winning arts and media production company that specialises in enabling innovative methods to connect with audiences.
We believe in the power and integrity of art to make our future a better place to be.
