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Nevertheless Trust
Ngā mihi,
Who are we and our relationship with the Creative Arts in Hawkes Bay
Overview of the Hawkes Bay Pasifika Arts Fono
Support required for artists
Our vision for Pasifika creative arts in Hawkes Bay
Importance of cultivating our culture & traditions
Challenges and solutions
Hawkes Bay Pasifika Festivals
5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2025
Recommendations for investment and support in Hawkes Bay
Video Highlights of 7 Pasifika Artists
Tivaevae Mama’s - St Andrews Presbyterian Church
Alex Onesi and Komiuniti ‘o Tonga Hawkes Bay
NEVERTHELESS TRUST
Nevertheless Trust is a Pasifika, Māori and Rainbow+ Mental Health organisation based in Hawkes Bay. Our mission is to MANIORO: DISRUPT.
Disrupt shame with love
Disrupt stigma with connection
Disrupt toxic narratives and stereotypes through Education, Storytelling and Creativity.
We are proud to have partnered with Creative New Zealand to deliver the first Pasifika Arts Fono in Hawkes Bay.
Hawkes Bay is renowned as the Art Deco capital of the world, celebrated for its stunning landscapes, pristine beaches and sundrenched vineyards. Nevertheless, Hawkes Bay is not just rich in fruit we have talent and creativity in abundance. This report is a vessel of communication for the voices of our Pasifika creatives and artists who shared with us their dreams and needs at our Fono. Leading up to the fono we spent six months with local Samoan/Māori
videographer Roshysportfolio who created short films to highlight six Pasifika creatives here in Hawkes Bay who have cultivated their creative practices with much success yet emphasize the importance of funding support, resources, opportunities of exposure and much, much more. It is our priviledge as Nevertheless to present this report.
Sincerely,
4/105 Pakowhai Road, Hastings, HAWKES BAY
SHAQAILA UELESE
SUelese
OVERVIEW
HAWKESBAYPASIFIKAARTSFONO
82 Pasifika artists and creatives attend our Fono on the 9th November 2024 held at the Wesley Church Community Centre Hall. There was an energetic and exciting vibe in the air as we all gathered to watch the premiere of a 7-part doco series featuring various Pasifika artists, participate in talanoa sessions and watch performances by our local Komiuniti ‘o Tonga Hawkes Bay and Cook Island group Toku Parataito. The word for our fono was “OPPORTUNITY”, we learned of the different opportunities available for us through CNZ and also shared amongst ourselves about potential opportunities for collaboration. CNZ and Nevertheless both had specific outcomes for the Fono which we believe were met throughout the Fono, the lead up and also in the decisions made after the fono.
Creative New Zealand’s Outcomes through the Pacific Arts Strategy:
Pacific arts are bold and enterprising
Pacific arts are nurtured and nourished through a connected, resilient Pacific arts community in Aotearoa
Pacific arts reach, inspire and are valued by more people and communities, everywhere
Nevertheless’s Outcomes:
Pacific artists in Hawkes Bay are connected with each other
Pacific artists in Hawkes Bay are supported in applying for funding opportunities
Pacific arts involvement and participation is recognized as an influencing factor of positive holistic well-being
The purpose of filming selected Pasifika artists was to display the diverse range and depth of talent we have here in Hawkes Bay. We have exceptional videographers, photographers, dancers, cultural traditional artists, weavers, event specialists, poets authors and more. A common similarity we found, is most of them are self-taught and/or are inspired by their families and community. We chose to highlight six individuals /groups of Pasifika creatives and artists through creating a 7-part short doco series featuring:
Seidah Tuaoi - Hip hop Dancer/ Highschool Dance Teacher
Traci Tuimaseve - Events/Project Manager, Choir Director & Artist
Nafanua (Poet and Author) & Tawa (Samoan Siva dancer)
Louisa (Primary School Poly teacher & Dancer) & Mia (Hip-hop dancer)
Alex Onesi (Paint/Drawing Artist)
Berry, Caren and Kaiata Rangi (Tivaevae Cook Island teacher, Poetry)
Lusila Kavapele Hiko and Komiuniti ‘o Tonga Hawkes Bay
Alex Onesi is a Tongan artist based in Flaxmere, Hastings. We invited him to create a piece specifically for the Hawkes Bay Pasifika Arts Fono. Alex is extremely talented with massive potential however with inadequate resources and support for Pacific artists, Alex is one of many who have had to put Art on the back burner in order to pursue other career paths and support their families. Alex is part of the Komiuniti Tonga ‘O Hawkes Bay. We also interviewed their Punake Lusila Kavapele Hiko who also echoed the need for more funding support and resources in Hawkes Bay so our Tongan community can continue to thrive, inspire and contribute to our Hawkes Bay community as a whole.
In this art piece he wanted to convey a message that everyone could relate to. He includes his birth place and heritage including Te Mata Peak to represent Te Matau-ā-Māui Hawkes Bay as well as Tongan patterns. The hands represent the barriers of people trying to erase his culture, however the patterns are bolded and shaded to show the strength of ones identity and culture is more important than any opposition.
Pasifika artists and creatives in Hawkes Bay want a dedicated Creative Space to nurture their craft, collaborate, and showcase their talents.
Listed below are their reasons why and what a ‘Creative space’ could look like:
“Photography Equipment - Access to hiring gear locally”
“Culture Classes”
“Creating specific venues that all Pasifika could use”
“Resources to make events happen”
“Capital assets that could be shared ie. PA, Staging, Equipment”
“Local Creative Studio for Photographers, Videographers to hire and learn”
“Venue Space for performances”
“Capital assets to be shared and hired”
“Pacific Creative Hub”
“Exhibition space for costuming”
“Residencies and locally based fellowships “
Nevertheless is currently developing a space for the purpose of running Mental Well-being programmes for the community by focusing on alternative approaches such as Storytelling and Creative Workshops. There is potential for this space to satisfy many of the suggestions above, with the right investment and strategy. If we had the ability to share capital assets this would enable us to invest more in other cultural-specific resources such as costumes and paying our cultural dance facilitators for their time and expertise. Having our own deddicated creative space could also create pathways for employment and opportunities for more exposure with lower fees for venue hireage.
FundingSupport
Creativenetwork
ExhibitionSpace
MoreExposure
LeadershipDevelopment
Recognition
Resources
VoiceinDecisionMaking
Sharingopportunities
Funding Support for our creatives includes: support with applications, potential committee structures, access to grants, more fono workshops, funding calendars, sustainable funding opportunities.
Establishing a Creative Networkis an important way for all creatives to be supported specifically through, our creatives want a network that promotes and provides “Community collaboration”, “Business mentorship & Leadership Development” and “Sharing opportunities”.
Invest in our Nevertheless Event space which aims to provide opportunities for Pasifika, Māori and Rainbow+ people to disrupt toxic narratives and stereotypes through Education, Storytelling and Creativity. We want to provide support for Pasifika artists to upskill, develop their talents and provide opportunities for exposure.
According to Statistics NZ (2023), Hawkes Bay is home to 10,902 Pacific peoples (6.2% of total population, +16.6% since 2018). However, we know this is not a true reflection of the entire Pacific population who live here including those who are transit and RSE workers. We have a diverse range of Pasifika ethnic and cultural groups here in Hawkes Bay. Living in a region outside of the main cities holds many challenges, below are some identified from our talanoa.
Pasifika festivals in Hawke’s Bay have long served as a vital platform for bringing the Pacific community together, celebrating our diverse cultures, and showcasing the immense talent within our community. These festivals provide an opportunity to share our rich traditions, from cultural dances and music to contemporary arts and performances, fostering connection and pride among our people.
However, sustaining these festivals has been a challenge due to limited funding, which has impacted their growth and consistency. To address this, we engaged with our Pasifika creatives to understand their vision for the future of Hawke’s Bay Pasifika festivals.
Their aspirations include:
Diversity and Inclusivity: Expanding the range of cultures represented and including more voices in organizing committees.
Bigger and Broader Events: Hosting larger family-oriented events that combine school and adult activities to cater to all ages.
Creative Showcases: Incorporating theatre, Pasifika poetry slams, talent shows, intergenerational activities (like cooking competitions), and residencies to co-create art that reflects our current realities.
Workshops and Education: Offering think tanks, talanoa sessions, and educational opportunities to raise awareness of our cultures and support future creatives through resources like scholarships.
Youth and RSE Engagement: Ensuring young people take on leadership roles and creating inclusive spaces for RSE workers to participate meaningfully.
Local and International Talent: Highlighting both local creatives and international Pasifika artists to inspire and connect our community.
Pasifika festivals are more than just events—they are celebrations of identity, resilience, and community. Moving forward, it is essential to secure funding and support to bring these aspirations to life and ensure that our Pasifika arts and culture continue to thrive for generations to come.
4. LOOKATDEVELOPINGA3-5YEARSTRATEGYFOR PASIFIKAARTISTSINHAWKESBAY 5. We strongly believe these recommendations are realistic, relevant and reflect the support our Pasifika Creative Artists have asked for throughout our Talanoa. Nevertheless is grateful for the opportunity to host the first Hawkes Bay Pasifika Arts Fono 2024 and we look forward to continuing to support our Pasifika Artists and Creatives.
