A bit of an impromptu visit for me to this awesome pacific festival! I’ve been meaning to go out more in Wellington with this nice summer weather but sometimes life gets in the way. Not this time though… I am glad Jono and I were able to pop out for a bit. Although it was right at the end of the festival, I was still able to catch a few of the artisans selling their crafts and listened to a few of the latest numbers.
Although I didn’t have the chance to see many of the events in the stage, I encourage you to have a look and support the different communities and artists in the program.
Here are a few of the beautiful people I had a chance to meet today and their crafts:
Le Toe’s Boutique
I came a little bit late to the event so most of the artists and artisans were packing up but Toesagone Auvae and her family showcased a few of the items that they have. Have a look at their facebook Le Toe’s Boutique for more!
Selwyn Palmer
Selwyn is a visual artist from the Solomon Islands. He does murals, painting on canvas, stone and wood carving, tattoo designs and tattooing. And he also brings other products from his region amongst a few of them being various weaved items by his mum—which I loved.
Contact Selwyn at selwynpalmer@gmail.com / 0275845025
Tongan Tapa Cloths & Handicrafts Mele Katoa
Ngatu is the Tongan name given to tapa cloth or decorated bark cloth. It is made from the inner bark of Hiapo (paper mulberry tree). The pieces of bark are beaten with a mallet, widened and joined together to make larger pieces of cloth. As you know, I’m all in for some color so Mele Katoa’s beautiful selection of Tapa Cloths as well as their flower headpieces and leis were breathtaking to me.
Contact 021 029 38334 / melesiu.katoa@gmail.com
Niue Vaka Models
Locally made handicrafts Niue Vaka models made of NZ native timber. These are made and displayed at Pasifika Festivals around NZ. They are available for sale to interested buyers in NZ. They also held a workshop during the event.
Contact Manila Nosa at nilanosa@gmail.com
The Colour Closet
The Colour Closet is based in Porirua. The ladies that I had the pleasure to meet and chat for a few minutes are from Fiji. You can see on the variety of their clothing the stories mixing tradition and modern shapes. For example, the looser cream color dress for relaxed meals with family at home and some of the other more tailored items for business but either of them carrying a beautiful expression of Pacific culture.
Contact 04-238 9168 / info@thecolourcloset.com / thecolourcloset.com / IG @the_colour_closet / FB the colour closet
We got a seafood basket, basically fish and chips but with ring onions and fish bites. It was really good although Jono ate most of it while I was around taking pictures… Whoops!
Greetings from the pacific to you!
Samoa – Talofa / Tonga – Mālō e lelei / Fiji – Bula / Fijian Indian – Namaste / Cook Island Māori – Kia orāna / Niue – Fakalofa lahi atu Tokelau – Mālo ni / Tuvalu – Fakatalofa atu / Kiribati – Mauri / Papua New Guinea – Halo ola keta / Solomon Islands – Halo olaketa / French Polynesia – La Orana / Hawaii – Aloha / New Zealand Māori – Kia ora
This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission should you choose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using my links. It’s ok, I will only recommend products that I have personally used or care for – I love all of these products, and you will too! Learn more on my Private Policy page.
