Famous Pacific People on the National and International Stage

E sau le fuata ma lona lou.  

In every generation, there are some outstanding chiefs. 

BACKGROUND

In spite of the many challenges of originating from some of the tiniest nations in the Pacific, Pacifika people have gone on to produce amazing music, create inspiring art and literature, and become famous and much sought after in the field of sport. 

From Tupaia, the Polynesian navigator who sailed the Endeavor with Captain Cook in 1769, to the current achievements of Valerie Adams in sport, they have all gained fame across the globe. 

Contents

This story on Famous Pacific people on the national and international stage covers the following:

• Famous kings and queens
• Premiers, politicians and leaders
• Sports heroes
• Music and the arts
• Humanitarians
• Glossary
• Supporting resources

FAMOUS KINGS AND QUEENS

The late Queen Sālote, known throughout the world for her participation in Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. 

Few Tongans travelled to New Zealand before the Second World War. One who did make the journey was Queen Sālote, who came to Auckland Diocesan School as a boarder in 1915, three years before she became queen.  

Source:  Tongans - Migrations, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, (accessed 10 March 2020) 

QUICK FACTS

• Taufa’ahau the first king of Tonga, took on the name King George Tupou I. He was baptised and converted to Christianity by the Wesleyan missionaries. 
• Tuvalu is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The queen of Britain is the head of state, while the Prime Minister who is elected by parliament is head of the government.
• Matai are the crown of Samoa. They are responsible for maintaining culture, traditions, law and order and administration of the village. There are two categories of matai — the Ali'i who are the high chiefs and the Tulafale who are talking chiefs. 

PREMIERS, POLITICIANS AND LEADERS

When Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, an indigenous leader and former prime minister, accepted appointment by military leaders as prime minister, his actions were described by Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Sir Michael Somare as ‘something all Pacific people both understand and respect, and will support’.

Source: Pacific Islands and New Zealand - Fiji and Tonga, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, (accessed 11 March 2020) 

In politics all Pacific MPs except for one have been Samoan – Anae Arthur Anae, Taito Phillip Field, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Mark Gosche, Peseta Sam Lotu-liga, Carmel Sepuloni and Su'a William Sio.

Source: Samoans - Contributions to New Zealand, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, (accessed 11 March 2020)

QUICK FACTS

• Sir Robert Rex helped Niue gain self-government and was Niue’s first Premier.
• In Tokelau, an Administrator represents the Queen of Britain and is appointed by the minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand. The Council of Tokelau consists of the faipule (leader) and pulenuku (village mayor). 
• Namulau’ulu Lauaki Mamoe led the Samoa mo Samoa (Samoa for Samoans) movement against European colonial rule. The Germans in retaliation exiled him and his followers to another German colony.
• Pioneering Samoan academic Tagaloatele Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop has been appointed NZ’s next Commissioner for Social Sciences with Unesco’s National Commission.
• Fijian military leader Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama took over Fiji in a military-style coop in May 2000. 
• Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Samoa’s longest-serving prime minister was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2012 when Samoa celebrated 50 years of independence.

SPORTS HEROES

Tongan styles of sport, especially in netball and rugby, have influenced the games in New Zealand. All Black Jonah Lomu became a national icon.

Source: Tongans - Pacific Islands identity, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, (accessed 10 March 2020)

Valerie Adams 

Valerie Adams, pictured in 2012, was New Zealand's star athlete and the world's best woman shot putter in the early 21st century. By 2016 she had won four world championship titles, five Diamond League series, three Olympic medals (two gold and one silver), and four Commonwealth medals (three gold and one silver).  In 2017 she was appointed a Dame of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to athletics. 

Source: Gender inequalities - Sport, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, (accessed 10 March 2020) 

The sporting achievements of Samoan people are impressive. Netballers in the national women’s Silver Ferns team include Rita Fatialofa, Bernice Mene and Leilani Read. In athletics, the discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina was twice a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and became world champion in 1997. 

In athletics, the discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina was twice a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and became world champion in 1997. 

Source: Samoans - Contributions to New Zealand, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, (accessed 10 March 2020)

MUSIC AND THE ARTS

Perhaps the most pervasive theme in the arts of New Zealand’s Pacific peoples is that of identity. Questions such as ‘Who are we?’, ‘How do we represent ourselves?’, ‘How are we represented by others?’ feature prominently and involve a range of media. 

Talented Samoan artists such as Fatu Feu‘u, Michel Tuffery, Andy Leleisi‘uao, John Ioane and Lily Laita have played a role in shaping New Zealand art.

Source: Samoans - Contributions to New Zealand, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, (accessed 11 March 2020) 

QUICK FACTS

• UFC fighter, Tyson Pedro from Tokelau won the Jiu-Jitsu World Trials in 2012 in the blue belt open weight division.
• Rugby league player Iva Ropati from Tokelau is the first from Tokelau to become Principal of a New Zealand High school. He also played rugby league for Australia and New Zealand and England. 
• Samoan Frank Bunce played rugby for Samoa in the 1991 Rugby World Cup. He played so well that he was selected to play for the All Blacks in the World XV in 1992. In all, he went on to play 55 tests for the All Blacks. 
• Samoan- Niuean Luisa Avaiki became captain of the Kiwi Ferns Rugby League in 2001 and played in three victorious World Cups.
• Manu Vatuvei or ‘The Beast’ as he was called, was one of the most successful Tongan rugby league players in history. He was only 16 when he joined the New Zealand Warriors.

PACIFIC ARTISTS

POETS, AUTHORS AND PERFORMERS

In literature, the writers Albert Wendt and Sia Figiel have made their mark. 

Samoan playwrights, producers and actors include Lani Tupu senior, Maiava Eteuati Ete, Nathaniel Lees, Jay Laga‘aia, David Fane, Erolia Ifopo, Makerita Urale, Oscar Kightley, John Kneubuhl, The Brownies, Naked Samoans, Toa Fraser, Victor Rodger and Pacific Underground. 

Source: Samoans - Contributions to New Zealand, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, (accessed 10 March 2020) 

THE MUSIC MAKERS

 For some New Zealand-borns, an understanding of custom serves as a stepping stone to new forms of expression.

Some young PIs are heavily influenced by Afro-American youth culture in their dress, slang, body language and music, especially hip hop and rhythm and blues. Rastafarianism is another significant influence, notable in young PIs’ dreadlocks and adapted reggae sounds. 

Source: Tongans - Pacific Islands identity, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand,(accessed 10 March 2020)

HUMANITARIANS

These are people who recognised the needs of the Pasifika community and responded in many ways to serve, help and support people, both in New Zealand and back home in the Pacific.

QUICK FACTS

• Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann developed the Fonofale model of Pacific mental health, accepted by the Mental Health Commission of New Zealand as the standard for treating Pacific mental health. 
• Foua Toloa returned to Tokelau after his education to help protect it. He represented the Pacific on the Global Oceans Commission to raise awareness about rising sea levels, overfishing and garbage dumping in the Pacific.
• Hon Dr Viliami Tangi was a practising doctor in Australia when returned to Tonga and dedicated his life to improving health services there. In 2008, he was honoured with the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Queen Salote for his contribution to the health services in Tonga. 
• Otolose and Sāloni Maea were two brothers whose quick thinking and action helped to save lives during the 2009 tsunami that hit Tonga. 
• Sister Malia Tuifu’s life was dedicated to helping the poor, especially women in Tonga. News of her humanitarian work gained her international recognition and she received support from many international organisations. 

GLOSSARY 

Definitions below have been taken from the Oxford Learner's Dictionary.

constitutional monarchy - a country that is governed by a king or queen within laws which limit his or her power. Britain is governed in this way, with the Queen or King as head of state and with Parliament and the elected government holding almost all the real power. This system began to develop slowly in the 17th century, when the Bill of Rights became law, and then developed more quickly after the Reform Act of 1832.

coronation - a ceremony at which a crown (= an object in the shape of a circle, usually made of gold and precious stones) is formally placed on the head of a new king or queen and they officially become king or queen.

honorary - of a university degree, a rank, etc.) given as an honour, without the person having to have the usual qualifications.

humanitarian - connected with helping people who are suffering and improving the conditions that they are living in.

indigenous - belonging to a particular place rather than coming to it from somewhere else.

pervasive - existing in all parts of a place or thing; spreading gradually to affect all parts of a place or thing.

Rastafarianism - a Jamaican religious movement which worships the former Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, and which believes that black people will one day return to Africa. Rastafarians often wear dreadlocks and have other typical patterns of behaviour and dress.

Retaliation - action that a person takes against somebody who has harmed them in some way.

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

Pacific Island MPs in the New Zealand Parliament— a diverse range from various islands in the Pacific.

Creative natives — artists, writers, dancers, designers, directors and other famous people from the Pasifika tell their stories.

Inspiring inlanders— Famous people from the Pacific Islands.

Polynesian artists— a range of musicians and singers that rocked New Zealand over the years.

Pacific Island players making waves for other teams— rugby superstars from Pacific nations show immense sporting talent.

Pacific Music Awards— an annual event celebrating Pacific music and achievements of artists.

Pasifika poetry — read poetry from famous Pasifika poets such as Robert Sullivan, Sia Figel and Audrey Brown.

New tracks new artist — an interview with Emily Muli, Kiwi-Tongan born musician, singer and songwriter. 

Damon Salesa — is an Associate Professor of Pacific Studies and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Pacific). He was the first person of Pacific Island descent to become a Rhodes scholar to Oxford. He has a special interest in Pacific Island history, society, politics and economics.

This story was curated and compiled by Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa | National Library of New Zealand, Services to Schools staff, March 2020.