October Recap: Celebrating Arts, Culture, and Community
October has been a month of vibrant celebrations, inspiring art, and powerful storytelling!
From arts awards, music video drops to groundbreaking series premieres, we’ve been soaking up everything our local creative community has to offer.
Here’s our October recap, highlighting some of our favourite moments. Tap through each section to check out the gems you may have missed during the month! 🎉
Copy Right /Credit: Rautini Conroy Thompson O’Brien | Māori TV (2024)
Ngā Kōtiro o Taranaki Premieres 🎬
We kicked off the month with the premiere of Ngā Kōtiro o Taranaki, a visually stunning 10-part animated series.
This powerful tale of resilience, survival, and sisterhood is set in 1880s Taranaki and was brought to life by the talented Rautini Conroy Thompson O’Brien.
“It’s been passed down through the wāhine in my whānau to me. It’s always felt like my responsibility to put it out there. My mum is a fantastic storyteller, and she has really supported and pushed me to share this story.
It kinda feels otherworldly,” says Rautini, who co-wrote the series with her mother, Paula Conroy.
Ngā mihi Rautini & Whaea Paula, we look forward to seeing more stories from you both in the near future.
Celebrating Tuvalu Language Week & Molia Alama Tulafono’s Book Launch 📖
As part of Tuvalu Language Week, choreographer and community leader Molia Alama Tulafono celebrated the launch of her book ‘Kupu O Fatele, Tuvaluan Songs, Chants & Words of Inspiration’.
Published by Moanaroa Publishing in partnership with Pacifica Arts Centre, this cultural gem preserves language and heritage for future generations.
” I'm hopeful this book will encourage the next generation of Tuvaluans to be inspired and find strength in the beauty of our culture and language. Taku Fatele - Tau Fatele” ~ Molia Alama-Tulafono
Sipi kana Molia 🎉✨👏🏾 We look forward to adding this beautiful book to our collection of resources. Find your copy at Moana Fresh 🌺
STAR GOSSAGE | ‘Whanaungatanga ( Oct 9 - Nov 2)
Eight new exquisite paintings by Star Gossage (Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Ruanui) have been on exhibit at Tim Melville Gallery.
We must admit that we’ve stared longingly at the gallery’s digital catalogue for ‘Whanaungatanga’ and because the feels we get from the works have been so enchanting we’ve gone on to share the magic in our group chats with friends that adore Star Gossage’s work just as much as we do. 😍
Copyright / Credits: Tim Melville / Facebook (2024)
Queendom by Kenzie from Wellie – Music Video Drop 🎶
“QUEENDOM is a reminder to peel away western beauty standards piece by piece, a calling to activate internal Indigenous wisdom and a surge of energy to jumpstart the heart.” – Kenzie From Welly
With powerful lyrics and visuals, this anthem has been bumping at full blast over here. If you haven’t watched it yet, turn the volume up and push play - it’s a must for any playlist!! 👑
Stevei Houkāmau, Ira (19 Oct - 16 Nov) Masterworks Gallery
Stevei Houkāmau (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui, Rangitāne) has a new solo exhibition ‘Ira’ at Masterworks Gallery.
Ira continues Stevei's exploration of whakapapa using uku/clay and looking at forms that reference kākano/seeds.
Follow Stevei on INSTAGRAM ~ @ukumad to see more of her taonga.
Maui (2024) by Stevei Houkāmau, with this beautiful red stained paua, depicts the moment Maui begins to emerge from Rarohenga/ the underworld.
View more beautiful works via the e-catalogue.
*Copy Rights / Image credit: Masterworks Gallery
Niue Language Week & “Mavehe” by Haanz Fa'avae-Jackson 🌊
During Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue – Niue Language Week, multi-talented actor and singer, Haanz Fa'avae-Jackson released his heartfelt single ’Mavehe’.
The song and music video powerfully express Niuean culture, resilience, and the beauty of Vagahau Niue.
Faamele Etuale’s Lunchtime Lei Workshops 🌸
Over at the Govett Brewster Gallery, multi disciplinary artist Faamele Etuale hosted lunchtime lei-making workshops, offering the public a hands-on way to connect with tradition and creativity.
These sessions weren’t just about crafting leis; they were a beautiful way to reflect and connect through art.
Shout out to Fa’amele for sharing her skills and knowledge with our community in the regions and for featuring in our upcoming podcast!
Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Awards 🌟
In mid-October, Aotearoa’s arts community gathered to honour eight remarkable artists as the 2024 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureates.
We were thrilled to see Lonnie Hutchinson, Horomona Horo, Victor Rodger ONZM, Miriama McDowell and Carin Wilson Kahui Whetu Ngā Aho acknowledged for their respective mediums. A massive congratulations to all! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
The 2024 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureates at the Laureate Awards Party: Lonnie Hutchinson, Miriama McDowell, Carin Wilson Kahui Whetu Ngā Aho, Victor Rodger ONZM, Claire Cowan, Saskia Leek, Horomona Horo, and Alison Wong.
Image Credit: Arts Foundation
Creative New Zealand’s Arts Pasifika Awards 🏆
The Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards were another celebration of incredible talent, with recipients honored at a ceremony held at the Beehive in Wellington.
This event was a reminder of the immense impact that our artists continue to have on New Zealand’s cultural landscape.
We enjoyed the FB livestream of the event and cheered wildly when ✨Edith Amituana’i, ✨Sione Tuívailala Monū and ✨Leafa Wilson were each called up to the stage to be formally recognised this year.
Mālō le tauivi to poet and children’s author 🌺Tusiata Avia, Recipient of the 2024 Senior Pacific Artist Award from Creative New Zealand.
Read more about each artist and their award on the CNZ site.
Arts Pasifika Award 2024 Recipients (L-R clockwise): Tusiata Avia, Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono, Jadrah Tupai (Signature Choir), Edith Amituana’i, Max Stowers, Falefatu Carreras Enari, Sione Tuívailala Monū and Leafa Wilson.
Copyright / Image Credit: Creative NZ (2024)
October brought so much talent, and community celebration we wish we could’ve listed and been at them all.
👩🏽💻 Let us know what your favorite moment of the month was and feel free to share your image with us on IG.
Don’t forget if you have a story to share, don’t hesitate to reach out.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! 