25 Sep 2026
Creative New Zealand celebrates 30 years of the annual Arts Pasifika Awards and marking three decades of celebrating Pacific excellence and achievement across the arts.
The 30th anniversary ceremony of the awards will be held on Thursday 22 October in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland where this year’s award recipients will be celebrated and hosted by Kent Gardner, Chair of the Arts Council of Creative New Zealand.
Maiava Keven Mealamu MNZM, Arts Council member is looking forward to the awards ceremony, which will be held in Auckland for the first time in over 15-years.
"The awards are an important platform to recognise the dynamic contribution of Pasifika artists to Aotearoa and the world. It has launched and contributed to the careers of many well-known and successful Pacific artists including opera singers, theatre-makers, visual artists, writers and hip-hop dancers such as Parris Goebel working overseas.
"As a board member, I also acknowledge the vision of writer Albert Wendt CNZM ONZ who dreamed of the awards in 1996, as the chair of Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts Committee. It’s a beautiful legacy for the arts in Aotearoa," says Keven.
The recipient of the Pacific Arts Business Award is the acclaimed and international The Black Grace Trust. It’s only the second year the business award has been offered and recognises the contribution of a Pasifika-led creative enterprise in providing a service or product with business sustainability and economic outcomes.
Comedian, actor and MC Tofiga Fepulea'i, from Wellington is the recipient of the Special Recognition Award 2026 and recognises his special contribution to Pacific arts, both nationally and internationally.
Multidisplinary artist and cultural practitioner Julia Mage’au Gray receives the Senior Pacific Artist Award, recognising her commitment to her arts practice over many years in Aotearoa, the Pacific Islands and the world. Julia is the first New Zealand –Papua New Guinea artist to win the award.
The Pacific Heritage Artist Award goes to master artist (tufunga) and traditional musician Tu'ifonualava Kaivelata, honouring his contribution to maintaining, reviving and promoting Pacific heritage artforms in Aotearoa.
Benjamin Work receives the Pacific Contemporary Artist Award, highlighting his innovative approach to contemporary arts practice.
The Iosefa Enari Memorial Award goes to Amosa Lene Isara, supporting the career development of a Pasifika singer, musician or composer working across classical genres.
Christchurch dancer Taliaoa Jokani Umutaua receives the Pacific Toa Award, recognising his contribution to Pacific arts as a Pasifika artist with the lived experience of disability.
Auckland based interdisciplinary artist Manuha’apai Vaeatangitau receives the Emerging Pacific Artist Award.
Jannita Pilisi, Arts Council member, is thrilled for this year's recipients.
" Kia monuina and congratulations to all the award winners. These awards shine a light on the people who are champions of our cultural koloa, and this year’s recipients are a fantastic reflection of that."
"The 30th milestone is a wonderful opportunity to honour the many hands and hearts who came before us. It's a reminder to us all that the legacy of our Pasifika arts is not only something we inherit, but something we continue to nurture, grow, and pass on to those who come after us."
Gretchen La Roche, Chief Executive says the awards are an important way in which Creative New Zealand supports the outstanding contribution of some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading Pasifika artists.
“It’s an incredible testament to the Awards that 30 years on from their establishment they continue as a focal point to acknowledge and celebrate Pasifika excellence. This milestone speaks to the strength of our arts community, to the generations of artists who have shaped the wider Aotearoa arts ecosystem and the generations to come. Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients — this celebration is for you."
For media enquiries
Matafanua Tamatoa
Email: matafanua.tamatoa@creativenz.govt.nz