The annual awards encourage and celebrate excellence in Pacific arts in New Zealand. And the winners were:
Justine Simei–Barton Senior Pacific Artists’ Award ($7000) recognises the contribution of a senior Pacific artist in maintaining or developing his or her artform in New Zealand.Justine Simei-Barton is the owner and director of New Zealand’s first Pacific independent professional film company, Tala Pasifika Productions Ltd. Through her work as a film-maker, producer, director, writer for film, television and theatre, and tutor Justine is a mentor for young emerging indigenous theatre practitioners.
Dr.‘Okusitino Mahina Pacific Heritage Arts Award ($5000) recognises an individual artist or cultural group who has made a major contribution to maintaining, reviving or promoting a Pacific heritage artform in New Zealand.A lecturer in social anthropology at the University of Auckland, Dr Okusitino Mahina, is part of the Tongan Heritage Association and has contributed to numerous Tongan heritage arts projects and publications. His work has been instrumental in reviving many traditional Tongan arts such as poetry, dance, singing and oral tradition.
Nina Nawalowalo Pacific Innovation and Excellence Award ($5000) recognises an established Pacific artist or group who has demonstrated innovation and excellence in their artform.Nina Nawalowalo founded the acclaimed Pacific Island theatre company The Conch, whose award winning production Vula - most recently performed at the Sydney Opera House in 2007 - will tour in 2008 to the Barbican Centre in London.
Sani Muliaumaseali'i Iosefa Enari Memorial Award ($3000) recognises the contribution of the late Iosefa Enari to the arts and in particular his pioneering role in Pacific opera. This study/travel award supports the development of Pacific opera singers.
Sani Muliaumaseali'i, who grew up in Auckland, is now based in London where he teaches vocal technique. He recently made his Wagnerian debut as Froh in Das Rheingold at the Longsborough Opera Festival and is currently preparing the title role of Siegfried, also for Longborough Opera in 2009.
WakaUra Cultural Dance Company Ltd Emerging Pacific Artists’ Award ($3000) recognises an emerging Pacific artist or group showing promise in their chosen artform. The WakaUra Cultural Dance Company has represented New Zealand’s diverse Pacific cultures in a range of settings, from performances at high-profile rugby games to being part of a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade delegation to French Polynesia.
Sale Pepe Salamander Gallery Award for Emerging Pacific Visual Artists ($3000) recognises an emerging Pacific artist showing promise in the field of visual arts. Currently studying towards a Bachelor in Visual Arts at Auckland University of Technology, Sale Pepe has had his work exhibited in galleries in New Zealand and Sydney.
For more coverage of the awards. Check out the this article in the Spasifik Magazine
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