Pacific Underground

Pacific Underground Formed as a theatre co. PU has shared its stories of Pasifika communities living in Aotearoa through theatre plays, music concerts and events since 1993.

in ChCh, 1992, diversifying as a production house for performance and events, PU remains NZ's longest running Pacific performing arts group. Recently, their collective skill base has diversified from members working on large scale events to national concert tours. Founding members: Erolia Ifopo, Oscar Kightley, the late Michael Hodgson, Simon Small, Mishelle Muagututi'a, Vic Tamati, the late Matautia Losa Tamati-Luafutu, Tanya Muagututi'a, Pos Mavaega. Contributors: - Dru Sione, Hemi Leaatele, Iona Ulaula, Seta Timo, Grace Taylor, Dallas Tamaira, Mara TK, Malo Luafutu, Bella Kalolo, Talia-Rae Mavaeg/a, Lijah Mavaega, Josephine Mavaega, Anton Carter, Joy Vaele, Barbara Carpenter, Ave Sua, Flo Lafai, Chris Searle, Christine Mears, Grace Vanilau, Pip Laufiso, Hiliako Iaheto, Victor Rodger, David Fane, Shimpal Lelisi, Tony De Goldi, Mark McEntyre, Troy Tu'ua, Jake Arona, Lavinia 'Uhila, Luse Su'a Tuipulotu, Nathaniel Lees, Joseph Taouma, Nastassia Wolfgramm, Aaron Waata, Awatea Ruki, Brent Park, Sara-Lia Tamati, Lily Simpson, Tihei Productions - Brent Thompson, Michelle Harrison, Raniera Dallas, Chris Muagututi'a, Sagapolutele Pulusila Muagututi'a, Steve Tafea, Patrice Kaikilekofe, Ela To'omaga-Kaikilekofe, Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna'i, Stephanie O'berg, Karoline Tamati, Mark Vanilau, Sara-Lia Tamati-Wright,

Supporters: - Maria Godinet Watts, Rhonda Thompson, Peter Taukiri, YCD Youth Centre, MacDonalds Rentals, Bounce NZ, AC Lighting, ACTIS Trust, Paula Rigby, Maatakiwi Wakefield, Olivia Taouma, Ana Mulipola, Tihi Puanaki and Wiremu Puanaki and Te Kotahitanga Kapa Haka, George Kahi, Cinerama Youth Centre, Polynesian Performing Arts Trust, The Court Theatre, Auckland Theatre Company, Christchurch Arts Festival, Te Oro - Jenni Heka, Sarona Aiono-Iosefa, JLP Presents, Pasifika Festival, Ole Maiava, Tautai Arts Trust, Nathan Homestead, George Kahi, Tawata Productions, Kava Club, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Phantom Billstickers, The Surrey Hotel, Petrina Togi-Sa'ena, Reverend Mua, Pacific Music Awards Trust, No.3 Roskill Theatre

In memory of those contributors and supporters who have passed on: Lily Simpson, Jackie Sinclair-Phillips, Hix Toto, Elizabeth O'Connor, Sua Sulu'ape Paulo II, Iosefa Enari (snr), Jeff Sanft, Eti Laufiso, Reverend Lapana, Kupi Mavaega (Snr), Louisa Crawley, Salote Muagututi'a, Maria Leulua'i, Michael Banks, Siaosi Mulipola, Michael Hodgson, Fuarosa Luafutu

27/09/2026
Congratulations Tavita Nielsen-Mamea on the publication of Ao Ko Tuvalu.  Such an important piece of Pasifika theatre.  ...
25/09/2026

Congratulations Tavita Nielsen-Mamea on the publication of Ao Ko Tuvalu. Such an important piece of Pasifika theatre. Mālō lava. xx

The second play recently published in the Tala imprint is AU KO TUVALU by Tavita Nielsen-Mamea.

Fetau, Maleko and Lifa prepare to evacuate their home. Rising sea levels and land subsidence on the atoll of Tuvalu is forcing them to leave for Niu Sila.

The poignancy of abandoning their culture and history is contrasted with the excitement of a new land and culture ahead. Some of their countrypeople decide to stay; some of them not revealing this until the boat is waiting to depart. Full of traditional music, this love song for Tuvalu tugs at your heart and knots your stomach even while the beauty transfixes.

Published in dual language English and Tuvaluan.

We're so grateful to the team at Pacific Arts - Creative New Zealand for backing the publication of these next level plays.

🔗 Check out the comments below to buy it now.

Cool as MC Antsman!
25/09/2026

Cool as MC Antsman!

Get your tickets now and come celebrate 30 years of NZ bass culture with us on the dance floor next Saturday at DeVille

The Nomad + MC Antsman
with WarpTV visuals, plus Deep Fried Dub, Dj King B & Miss Meow.
https://www.cosmicticketing.co.nz/event/7185

10/09/2026

Our brother Hiliako Iaheto in music and events, festivals and gigs at Otago Polyfest. Malo bro!

10/09/2026
On the other end of Aotearoa and in honour of the late George Kahi, we’ve been supporting The Long Song: He Waiata Roa, ...
10/09/2026

On the other end of Aotearoa and in honour of the late George Kahi, we’ve been supporting The Long Song: He Waiata Roa, a 10-day music residency, noho marae and wānanga.

On Saturday, a unique collective of 20 acclaimed international and Aotearoa artists will present The Long Song: He Waiata Roa, Showcase Concert.

Featuring Artists from Cymru/Wales, Norway + Sweden / Sami, Turtle Island/Canada, and Whenua Moemoeā/Australia joining Māori and Pacific kaiwaiata and producers who have created new collaborative works, in real time over the last few days.

This is the 4th iteration of ‘The Long Song: He Waiata Roa’ from the Matariki Cultural Foundation
Hūhā Music and PU, working on a global scale to support artist trade paths at international events.

Where: Te Puna Creative Hub in Henderson, Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
When: Sat 12 Sept, 7:00 PM Free admission/koha entry-

Tickets here - https://www.huhamusic.com/event-list

10/09/2026

Mālō fams. We have been travelling the country attending Otago Polyfest in Ōtepoti. Congrats to the entire team for a beautiful festival that ends tomorrow.

10/09/2026

📣 ANNOUNCING THE SILVER SCROLL AWARDS | KAITITO KAIAKA FINALISTS 📣

APRA AMCOS Aotearoa are thrilled to announce the songs, waiata, and compositions chosen as finalists for all categories at the 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka.

Winners will be announced at a special ceremony on Wednesday 14 October at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau, as part of APRA's wider year-long centenary celebrations.

To read all about the nominees and their works, you can find more via the 🔗 link in comments. 🔗

✨ Special thanks to Te Māngai Pāho, NZ On Air, and RNZ.

With Otago Polyfest –  PU just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉   Congrats on a fab week fams xx
10/09/2026

With Otago Polyfest – PU just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉
Congrats on a fab week fams xx

01/09/2026

🌺A word from our Festival Director.

“Bula Vinaka, Halo Olaketa, Bozu, Bonjour - I am humbled and greatful to all our Melanesian Wantok Community members and leaders living here in Aotearoa and back home in the region. I look forward to celebrating 5 Years of Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture Aotearoa come October 31st 2026. Let’s continue to work together as Wan People - Wan Solwara to create a space where we all can stand and be proud as Melanesians of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Region. 🙏Vinaka vakalevu to Creative New Zealand and the Pacifica Arts Centre for your support. 🌺🇵🇬🇫🇯🇳🇿🇸🇧🇻🇺🇳🇨🌺

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Christchurch

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