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 Mat

autia 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

Congrats to the Bull Sisters, Vika and Linda.  Legends!
12/06/2026

Congrats to the Bull Sisters, Vika and Linda. Legends!

Tongan/Australian sisters Vika and Linda have been recognised for their inspiring contribution to music as inductees to the ARIA hall of fame.

The powerhouse sisters have had an incredible journey to get to this point, rising to the music scene with their 1994 self-titled debut album reached the ARIA Top 10 and went platinum, and their greatest hits complication ‘Akilota (Anthology 1993 - 2006) hit #1 in 2020.

Over the course of their career, the Tongan sisters have released multiple acclaimed albums, collaborated with artists including Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, Archie Roach, Renee Geyer and Mark Seymour.

Vika and Linda have received six ARIA Award nominations, AIR Awards recognition, induction into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame, and were awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2022 in recognition of their contribution to the performing arts.

Their induction to the ARIA hall of fame comes days after the release of their ninth studio album, 'Where Do You Come From?'

Awesome!
11/06/2026

Awesome!

Aunty Tala. Uncle Sam. Kung Fu Master Tavita. And some brand new faces. 😂
Tofiga Fepulea'i is back and this time he's brought Laban Miller with him.
Fresh Since Ages Ago is coming to the Isaac Theatre Royal and it is going to be a lot.
🎟️ Tickets from $63 via Ticketek New Zealand
On sale 10am today - Booking fees may apply

Congrats on your nominations LOOPY TUNES Preschool Music!  We're fans of all of it, especially Feed The Stars (Hautapu S...
11/06/2026

Congrats on your nominations LOOPY TUNES Preschool Music! We're fans of all of it, especially Feed The Stars (Hautapu Song). Chhheeehooo!

Malo Zandra and team at Polynesian Pages.  Please like and follow these hearty women and their kaupapa to bring more vis...
10/06/2026

Malo Zandra and team at Polynesian Pages. Please like and follow these hearty women and their kaupapa to bring more visibility to Pasifika Arts in Ōtautahi. We know how important this is, because WE JUST KNOW. 🌺🌺
If you can, support Z, to bring some lovely friends of ours to Ōtautahi by donating to their Boosted NZ campaign. Mālō lava!

THE VAKA IS READY. ⛵️🌊✨
NOW IT’S TIME TO SET SAIL!

Today, we’re launching a community-powered crowdfunding campaign to help bring talented Pasifika performing artists from across Aotearoa to Ōtautahi; however, this journey depends on all of us.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 through community support. If we reach that target, .nz will match every dollar raised, helping us unlock a total of $10,000 for this kaupapa.

This is an all-or-nothing campaign.
If we don’t reach our target, we don’t receive the funding towards this project.

Every donation, every share, and every comment helps move this vaka forward.
Together, we can celebrate our culture, support our artists, and create something special for Christchurch.

🌺 Donate if you can
🤝 Share with your whānau and friends
💬 Comment with your island flag or where you’re supporting from

The destination is clear.
The journey starts today.

LINK IN BIO 🔗✨



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Manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa.  As Sāmoa Language week comes to a close, here's a favourite Sāmoan song "Mo'omo'oga...
05/06/2026

Manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa. As Sāmoa Language week comes to a close, here's a favourite Sāmoan song "Mo'omo'oga" sung by Noelle Fauolo, from our Ōtautahi Pasifika Legacy Project show with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Conductor
Samiu Katoa Uatahausi, a year ago, at the Christchurch Town Hall.
Arrangements by Areposeta Timo with orchestration support from Alex van den Broek. Musical Director Matuaitoga Pos Mavaega. BVs- Seto Fauolo, Talia-Rae Tupu, Josephine Mavaega, Tusi Elisara, Lijah Mavaega; Band - Matuitoga Pos Mavaega, Chris Searle, Dru Sione, Hemi-quaver Lesatele, Areposeto Timo, Iona Ulaula, Micahlei Timo, Cliff Mavaega.
It was a wonderful collaboration with the CSO, which we are forever grateful for. Thanks to Graham Sattler. the orchestra, and staff. Fa'afetai tele lava Siulangapo fams for the capture. Ia Manuia!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Massive aroha and respect to Riki Manuel for the CNZM.  We were fortunate to have worked with Riki, after meeting him on...
31/05/2026

Massive aroha and respect to Riki Manuel for the CNZM. We were fortunate to have worked with Riki, after meeting him on our travels to the 2004 FOPA (now FESTPAC) in Belau. Not even before that at the Arts Centre where we were all tenants lol. Thanks to Maria Godinet-Watts we worked on one of his projects, then he and Viv hosted artists in their Toi Maori gallery with Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna'i (as curator / artist) for our exhibitions. He also hosted our guest tatau tufuga Peter Suluape from Sāmoa. Fa’amālō atu Riki xx

Christchurch-based master carver and tohunga moko (Māori tattoo specialist) Riki Manuel has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM).

Mālō Bob. Looking forward to Sons of Vao!  xx
31/05/2026

Mālō Bob. Looking forward to Sons of Vao! xx

Every week we ask a well-known Aucklander about their favourite spots in the city.

30/05/2026
A band leader way before we existed, Pos Mavaega has led our music journey since our early days. He has lead concerts by...
28/05/2026

A band leader way before we existed, Pos Mavaega has led our music journey since our early days.
He has lead concerts by Pacific Underground Music Production (P.U.M.P) with Chris Searle; his first theatre collab was on Sons by Victor Rodger in 1995; was MD for the rest of our main-bill shows; producer on PU’s first album ‘Landmark’ and Technical Director for our annual Pacific Arts Festival. His own masterpiece, Island Summer - the live show and album travelled around the Pacific, and his last major collaboration saw us on stage, with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra at the Christchurch Town Hall a year ago. This is another Artist Residency for Pos, where music is centre stage, and we couldn’t be prouder. Fa’amālō atu Matuaitoga Posenai Mavaega. Enjoy your time at Macmillan Brown!

🎶 For the first time in its 30-year history, MBC Pacific Artist in Residence at UC, funded by Creative New Zealand, has selected a musician.

Highly respected Samoan musician, producer and arts leader Posenai Mavaega has been named the 2026 Pacific Artist in Residence.

Posenai says the residency is an opportunity to honour the stories, relationships and musical traditions that have shaped his work.

Welcome to UC, Posenai 🌺

Posenai Mavaega (right), pictured with Tumaru Mataio – UCSA - University of Canterbury Students' Association President (left).

Pacific Arts - Creative New Zealand

Mālō Dallas xx
27/05/2026

Mālō Dallas xx

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