The Pacifica Mamas (and Papas) are a collective of respected pacific heritage artists and cultural leaders, brought together by a shared passion for the arts and culture of their pacific homelands.
Formed in the late 1980s the Pacifica Mamas are all the first generation pacific immigrants to New Zealand, originally from island nations including the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, Tonga, Tokelau, Kiribati and Niue.
This group of highly acclaimed Pacific Heritage artists comprises, weavers, tivaevae makers, carvers, tapa artists, orators, performing artists and more. They meet regularly at the Pacifica Arts Centre to fellowship, exchange stories,and strengthen their pacific arts skills and knowledge.
The Pacifica Mamas activities include a school pacific education programme, art exhibitions and workshops at local and international events. Their hands-on teaching style is engaging and fun-filled for any age group, and it is that very style that makes them popular at schools; Pacific Art exhibitions; community level, national, and international events;
They were awarded the Creative New Zealand Pacific Heritage Arts Award in 2012, and the Aotearoa Arts Access Corrections Community Award 2015. They’ve been recognised far and wide for the contribution to Pacifica Arts both in New Zealand and abroad. For information contact