25 Oct 2018

Arts Pasifika Awards celebrate excellence and innovation

2:57 pm on 25 October 2018

Some of New Zealand's most talented Pasifika artists have been recognised at the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards.

Rosanna Raymond (L) and Suzanne Tamaki.

Rosanna Raymond (L) and Suzanne Tamaki. Photo: Lisa Taouma

Celebrating excellence and innovation in Pacific Arts, the annual awards recognise outstanding Pasifika artists practicing contemporary and heritage artforms in Aotearoa.

The Senior Pacific Artist Award and prize money of over $US13,000 has been won by Rosanna Raymond, whose leadership of arts collectives and community movements over 30 years lead to her becoming the Pacific Artist in Residence at Government House last year.

The Pacific Heritage Artist Award and prize money of about $US5000 has gone to Sulieti Fieme'a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies , a mother and daughter duo who collaborate in the Tongan art of tapa-making.

Amoung the other winners, multimedia artist Angela Tiatia has been given the Contemporary Pacific Artist Award while Leki Jackson Bourke has been named the Emerging Pacific Artist of the year.

Artistic director, performer and choreographer Sefa Enari received the Special Recognition Award.

And baritone Ben Wilson received the Iosefa Enari Memorial Award.

Sulieti Fieme'a Burrows (L) and her daugther Tui Emma Gillies.

Sulieti Fieme'a Burrows (L) and her daugther Tui Emma Gillies. Photo: Lisa Taouma