Nina Nawalowalo speaking at Te Papa. Image on screen is of Noa Nawalowalo LLB - a photo by Ans Westra 1963
Wellington City Council, through Toi Pōneke Arts Centre, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with the internationally acclaimed theatre and film company THE CONCH, launching the city’s first dedicated Pasifika arts residency programme.
The Pasifika Residency 2025 marks a significant milestone for Wellington’s arts sector, offering a professionally supported platform for emerging Pasifika creatives to develop bold new works rooted in the richness of Te Moananui-a-Kiwa. The programme is grounded in a Tuakana–Teina model, pairing mentorship with production development, and will culminate in a public presentation.
THE CONCH is internationally celebrated for championing Pacific storytelling as a force for social change. Their work blends cultural authenticity and artistic excellence to spotlight marginalised voices and spark meaningful dialogue. A leading example is A Boy Called Piano, which journeyed from workshop to stage to award-winning film bringing visibility to Pacific state care experiences and influencing the Royal Commission of Inquiry. The storytelling also led to a Member of New Zealand Order of Merit honour for Fa’amoana Luafutu.
Through initiatives like the inaugural Pasifika Residency at Toi Pōneke, THE CONCH continues to empower emerging artists, elevate Pacific narratives, and drive transformation through the arts. It affirms Toi Pōneke commitment to supporting Indigenous leadership and growing a creative sector that reflects the full cultural fabric of our city.
A Platform for Pasifika Excellence
Resident practitioners will be supported by THE CONCH, led by award-winning director Nina Nawalowalo ONZM, known for her pioneering work in Pacific Storytelling and using Theatre and Film as a force for social change. “This is a breakthrough moment for Pacific Arts in Wellington and nationally - a great vision from the City Council which I am proud and inspired to serve.” Says Nina
We are pleased to announce the successful recipients of the Pasifika Residency as Tamia Filipo and Kasi Valu
Tamia Filipo is a proud Tokelauan and Tuvaluan multidisciplinary artist based in Pōneke. With foundations in competitive street dance, Tamia began her artistic journey at the age of six in Manurewa. Her early achievements include representing Aotearoa at the Hip-Hop International competitions in Las Vegas, earning gold and silver medals. Over the years, Tamia has evolved into a choreographer, producer, and collaborator across live, theatre, and digital works. Her powerful, community-driven practice centres Pacific identity and movement. Her work has featured in the Pacific Dance Festival, Kia Mau Festival, and she has worked alongside notable artists including Kaysee Savali and Tupe Lualua. The Toi Pōneke Pasifika Dance Residency provides her with a vital opportunity to further her creative development and amplify Tokelauan culture through dance.
Kasi Valu (Lapaha and Ma’ufanga, Tonga) is a Toi Whakaari graduate (2022) and an emerging producer passionate about supporting Indigenous artists. Kasi’s kaupapa is grounded in relational practice — prioritising process over product, and nurturing artists with empathy, understanding, and strategic care. His vision of producing goes beyond logistics, embracing mana-enhancing support from concept to stage. Kasi brings a deep commitment to building sustainable artistic communities and uplifting Pacific wāhine in dance. His partnership with Tamia spans five years, and together they aim to foster emerging arts ecosystems through workshops, funding education, and advocacy. For Kasi, producing is a long-term contribution to interdependent creative ecosystems – a purpose-driven role embedded in reciprocity, whakapapa, and community.
The residency includes:
A three-month movement practitioner residency (Teina), supporting the development of new performance work. A producer/director residency, providing hands-on mentoring and leadership training in the creation of Pasifika theatre.
Recipients will receive access to rehearsal space, professional mentoring, and a creative stipend. The programme is designed to support artists at critical stages of their careers, strengthening their voice, presence, and long-term sustainability in the arts sector.
Strategic Alignment with Aho Tini 2030
The Pasifika Residency 2025 contributes directly to the objectives of the Wellington City Council’s Aho Tini 2030 Arts, Culture and Creativity Strategy:
Aho Hononga – by embedding kaupapa Māori and Te Moananui-a-Kiwa values such as manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and kaitiakitanga
Aho Mahi – by fostering creative leadership and innovation
Aho Tangata – by increasing access and participation across diverse Pasifika communities
Aho Whenua – by building long-term sustainability through mentorship, visibility, and sector connections
“This initiative is about building pathways for our people,” says Nina Nawalowalo, Director of THE CONCH. “It’s a legacy-focused model that invests in the next generation of Pasifika storytellers and cultural leaders. This generation is the future.”
Partnership and Support
The residency is formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding between Toi Pōneke and THE CONCH. THE CONCH is recognised as the Tuakana (senior organisation), guiding Teina artists through mentorship and practical development. Toi Pōneke is to be a catalyst for the growth and development of Wellington Artists.
This partnership represents a new era of collaboration, cultural equity, and creative innovation in Aotearoa’s capital — and sets the stage for future residency models grounded in Indigenous excellence.