PX Whanau Radio

Bangarra dancer Daniel Mateo koreros with Sonja about the new Bangarra Dance Theater’s performance Horizon, a new collaborative 2 act dance works with the first time inclusion of Maori and Pasifika themes: ‘ Horizon is a coming together of cultures to define what is home, and how do we carry the spirit of home in our contemporary lives.’ Horizon is part of a greater discussion:’ a broader global First Nations conversation on issues that impact our people and country. We carry a responsibility to provide a platform for these unique stories and to shine a light on issues that other Indigenous people may be navigating. Through story we build a global First Nations creative network that supports each other both on and off stage’. As Daniel says in this korero about our First Nations collaborating together “ there’s similarities and differences and I think we can learn and grow from one another”.Horizon is choreographed by Sani Townson (Saibai), Deborah Brown (Waikaid clan, Meriam) and Moss Te Uruangi Patterson (Ngāti Tūwharetoa). Daniel Mateo : ‘Daniel is a Gamilaroi mari from central northern NSW as well as Tongan from Ma’ufanga, Nuku’alofa Tongatapu. Born and raised in Orange (Wiradjuri Country) and later moved to Newcastle (Awabakal land), Daniel started his dance studies at Catapult Dance in Newcastle before moving on to NAISDA Dance College in 2019. He joined Bangarra in 2021 as one of two Russell Page Graduate Program recipients’ Horizon will be performed on Wurundjeri Country from August 28th until September 7th 2024 at Naarm’s iconic Arts Center.Links here for more info: Horizon | Bangarra

Sonja has a korero with screen writer and director Tim Worrall ( Ngai Tuhoe, Te Arawa). Timis the screenwriter for the new cinematic epic Ka Whawhai Tonu, and this episode fits in wellwith our last two about Maori cinema and the importance of its history,growth and future andthe Tino Rangatiratanga of the art form for indigenous practitioners.Tim shares his personalstories from his beginnings working on Whale Rider, to Maori television pioneering programssuch as Vegas and Head High and even the iconic Shortland Street, a diverse and richcareer that has led to writing KWT, the first Maori film with 95% Te reo Maori spoken in it.Tim shares his experiences as a screenwriter, the highs and the lows, and the rewards, andkaupapa of his journey: “it really requires resilience and passion and large doses ofself-belief and leaning into our own systems”. The “systems” he refers to are the “practisingof our own Tino Rangatiratanga- our own self-determination” and the collectivization ofindigenous community in the creation of authentic storytelling.This is an awesome and inspiring korero with one of Aotearoa’s most gifted writers for thescreen!Nga mihi nui to Tim Worrall from all of us here at PX Whanau for sharing your knowledge forthis episode.Links: Tim Worrall | NZ On ScreenTim Worrall: Tūhoe storyteller | E-TangataKa Whawhai Tonu (nzfilm.co.nz)

Sonja reconnects with indigenous film curator,programmer,reviewer and festival co-director of the Wairoa Maori Film Festival: Leo Koziol.This special korero is the second time they have guested on PX Whanau and for this time it’s an insightful look at what’s on offer at this year’s New Zealand International Film Festival/Whanau Marama from Maori filmmakers,and his mahi as a co-selector for the Nga Whanaunga Maori Pasifika Shorts programme.We ask him what the highlights are for him at this years NZIFF as it begins in Aotearoa this month. Some of the Maori content and /or made films screening at the festival mentioned in this episode are the following: Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara (2024), directed by Kent Belcher,Taki Rua Theatre - Breaking Barriers (2024), directed by Whetū Fala,The Haka Party Incident (2024), directed by Katie Wolfe;Links : New Zealand Films Shine at 2024 Whānau Mārama New ZealandInternational Film Festival • New Zealand International Film Festival(nziff.co.nz)Kiriata Māori (maorimovies.com)Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka) is founder and director of the Wairoa Māori Film Festival. It is the longest-running indigenous film festival of New Zealand and takes place annually.Leo Koziol worked as cultural advisor in the Ministry of Maori Development and curates short films for the New Zealand International Film Festival (Ngā Whanaunga Maori Pasifika programme). He also curates for various film festivals in Canada, Italy, Polynesia, the United States and Australia.He is the subject of short film "Native in Nuhaka" by award winning film maker Hiona Henare. Leo is a member of the Anishnaabe Bawaadan Artists Collective based in Ontario,Canada. In 2019, he was presented with the Te Aupounamu Māori in Screen Excellence Award. In 2020, he was a guest film expert in the visitor programme of the Goethe Institute at the Berlinale film festival. Since 2020, he has been the indigenous editor of Letterboxd. With over 3 million members. Letterboxd is the leading social network for movie mavens and cinema fans alike.Kia ora Leo, and thankyou again for yarning with us here on PX Whanau Radio.

In this episode Sonja has a korero with film director Mike Jonathan ( Waikato,Te Arawa,Maatatua) about his feature film debut Ka Whawhai Tonu ( translated- Struggle Without End)which is due to be released in so-called Australia from August 1st 2024.It’s one of the first films with 95% spoken in Te Reo Maori, and with a predominantly Maoricast and crew it’s a new milestone for cinema from Aotearoa and for Indigenous film globally.Mike yarns about his many diverse influences for the epic film,from authentic historicalrecords on the battle of Orakau in the Waikato of Aotearoa in 1864 ( “in the film we aredepicting real ancestors” ) ,to the iconic cinematic masterpiece UTU made in 1980s NZ, tobeing mentored by the legendary Wahine of indigenous film Merata Mita.As Mike says: “ it’s probably the truest form of Maori in any sort of motion picture”.Synopsis: ‘Set in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1864, KA WHAWHAI TONU tells the story of apivotal battle in the first New Zealand land wars in the Waikato region. A battle fought withimpossible odds between Māori and the Colonial forces. This heroic conflict is told through theeyes of two young teenagers forced to take control of their own destiny amidst the chaos of thebattle and their escape.’Ka Whawhai Tonu | Transmission FilmsListen in whanau to this precious korero with Mike Jonathan and your host Sonja on thisbreakthrough film soon to screen in Australia, August 2024!LINKS : Ka Whawhai Tonu (nzfilm.co.nz)www.hakaboy.com

Sonja and Marqy in studio today to talanoa and give away some movie premiere tickets sponsored by Transmission Films NZ. Thank you to all who participated and congratulations to our winners.

Sonja catches up with musical creative Geneva AM, crossing time zones from Naarm toKyoto, Japan, a korero on her music, her influences, passions, Matariki, and being a mamanow, the importance of Te Reo Maori for her, the joy of collaborations with other artists, andon being in love....and creating waiata for it.Waiata that is: “ to uplift, to ascend”.Tune in and enjoy this special korero with a beautiful musical inspiration,Aotearoa basedGeneva AM .Includes music of Geneva AM’s and features a music track from artist Hawkins calledApakura’s Call ( Remember Me)LINKS about Geneva AM and her music :Music | Geneva AM (bandcamp.com)Song You Need to Know: Geneva AM, 'Pikipiki' (rollingstone.com)

Sonja has a wicked korero with the multi-talented musician, music, engineer, mixer, performer, film creative, super skilled icon of all things music in Aotearoa: Tiki Taane! Tiki korero’s about his music documentary that will be screening for the first time in Oz at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival at the iconic Cinema Nova in Carlton on July 18! LINKS here: http://www.cinemanova.com.au/.../mdff-tiki-taane-in... MDFF (Melbourne Documentary Film Festival) Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (mdff.org.au) The doco is an artistic milestone for the artist who after all the chart topping ventures has turned his sights on documentary making with this special independent film of his, a mahi of much aroha, that shows his creativity in a live performance with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra on stage with a plethora of fellow musicians filmed in 2021. Tiki Taane will be in Naarm/Melbourne to introduce and Q&A his film on Thursday, July 18 at 6.30pm at Cinema Nova. Be sure to check it out whanau He also chats about his co-composition with Arli Liberman, the song Hold on to The Dream featuring the voice of Louis Baker, which features on the soundtrack of the new film Ka Whawhai Tonu / Struggle Without End ( due out in Australia from August 1st- check out our special ticket giveaways over the next couple of weeks) Ka Whawhai Tonu (nzfilm.co.nz) Inspiring and legendary, enjoy this unique korero with Aotearoa’s very own musical genius Tiki Taane only on PX Whanau on 3CR.

Today Marqy catches up with the Former Miss Fa'afafine Victoria Telesia Burnley. They talanoa about life, what to look forward to and growth from the past and what it means to have a new attitude towards everything you do.Massive shout out to those who have donated and continue to donate to a special cause to keep PX Whanau and 3CR going.Supporting PX Whanau means amplifying Pasifika MVPFAFF++ voices and fostering solidarity through unique and inclusive programming. Join us in making a difference by donating today!We are raising funds for 3CR Community Radio because the station plays a unique role in connecting communities and giving voice to critical perspectives. 'Solidarity' has been at the heart of 3CR's work for nearly five decades across a range of issues and themes. Right now, 3CR needs your support to maintain its independence and continue to be the voice of the community. Please help the station build their media advocacy and solidarity work by donating to my CrowdRaiser. 3CR will appreciate every cent received, and we will be very grateful for your contribution too!Also, if you can share the link to the CrowdRaiser page with your friends and family that would be great. The more people who can help the better!givenow.com.au/cr/pxwhanau every donation over $30 you will recieve a PXWHANAU tshirt :)Thank you

Massive shout out to those who have donated and continue to donate to a special cause to keep PX Whanau and 3CR going.Supporting PX Whanau means amplifying Pasifika MVPFAFF++ voices and fostering solidarity through unique and inclusive programming. Join us in making a difference by donating today!We are raising funds for 3CR Community Radio because the station plays a unique role in connecting communities and giving voice to critical perspectives. 'Solidarity' has been at the heart of 3CR's work for nearly five decades across a range of issues and themes. Right now, 3CR needs your support to maintain its independence and continue to be the voice of the community. Please help the station build their media advocacy and solidarity work by donating to my CrowdRaiser. 3CR will appreciate every cent received, and we will be very grateful for your contribution too!Also, if you can share the link to the CrowdRaiser page with your friends and family that would be great. The more people who can help the better!givenow.com.au/cr/pxwhanau every donation over $30 you will recieve a PXWHANAU tshirt :)Thank you

Talanoa with Mr Bear NZ 2024 Tia Bear who travelled all the way from across the ditch in Tamaki Makaurau. Tia is here to compete in the Mr Australasia Bear competition taking place in Naarm. We chat about life, community and representation amongst other things.

Queer Pasifika Rights: Recording of a Talanoa of Diaspora organisations from Aotearoa/NZ and America/Turtle Island, during the 3rd Pacific Human Rights Conference held in Fiji in April 2024. They Talanoa about how to develop tools in community and sharing to the regions of the Pacific.

Join Marqy today with our incredible guests from Palau, Micronesia! PX Whanau is dedicated to sharing the powerful stories of Queer Pasifika lived experiences. As we journey across the Pacific, we aim to highlight and celebrate these diverse Pacific Nations.Special mentions to Yaya and Elilai from All Things Fierce for having a chat with PX Whanau

Kikki got to host TDOA (Transgender Day of Audibility) with special guests.

Sonja korero's with Teherenui Koteka, a proud Rarotongan native and graduate of Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington. With a Bachelor's in Theatre, Film, and Media Studies and a Masters of Creative Writing under her belt, Teherenui is a force to be reckoned with in the world of arts and culture!In 2023, she was the recipient of the BATS Creative New Zealand Pacific Producer Residency, showcasing her remarkable talent and dedication to her craft. As a multidisciplinary artist, Teherenui draws inspiration from the rich storytelling traditions of her tupuna (ancestors), using her creative prowess to reflect the diverse and vibrant experiences of modern Pacific life. A Kuki Airani perspective on sex and sexuality and safety their play 'Pane Provocations' debuted in Te Whanganui a Tara from 6-9 March and then went on to Rarotonga at the first ever Pride week ( Anuanua) for the community in April 2024.

We are thrilled to share that our very own Tony K Fretton (Founder of PacifiqueX) has been appointed as an official Taskforce member for the Victorian LGBTQIA+ Taskforce! Being part of this incredible initiative is a well-deserved achievement for Tony, and we're deeply honoured to have him represent our Pasifika Queer community at the table where important decisions are made.This journey has been a testament to the power of community, resilience, and the legacy of our elders. Tony couldn't have done it without your support, PacifiqueX fam! Have a listen to Marqy and Tony having a Talanoa on representation of our queer Pasifika community in Naarm.

Get ready to laugh like never before with Shark Heist at Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2024! Don't miss out on the comedic brilliance of award-winning queer Māori performer Cam Venn as they korero with Marqy about their passions and influences. Known for pushing boundaries and creating inclusive yet boundary-pushing theatre in Naarm, Cam Venn is back with a show that will leave you in stitches! Dive into a world of laughter, drag, dance, giant puppets, and action-adventure.

PX Whanau and PacifiqueX proudly celebrate our sissy Miss Katalyna for her monumental achievement and representation on a huge platform for Queer POC and Trans Women of Color! Miss Katalyna, of Samoan and Tongan descent based in Naarm/Melbourne, is a dynamic and passionate DJ on a mission to take her audience on a unique musical journey.Our Kikki Temple has a talanoa with Miss Katalyna on her diverse repertoire that spans from her own Mixes, Chicago house, Gospel house, House disco, drum & bass, R&B, and the trending Amapiano genre, Miss Katalyna brings a fresh and eclectic vibe to the world of music.She is also the current TV host for The Bent Spoon and co-founder of Trans Pride March Melbourne and the Trans Pride Concert. Prepare for an adult playground spanning six distinct venues, each pulsating with its own unique vibe and line-up. This colossal event features 10 hours of non-stop entertainment, drawing in over 10,000 people and showcasing over 50 artists in a hypnotic fusion of house, techno, pop, electronica, nu-disco, club, and R’n’B. Don't miss out on the lineup including Adam Lambert, CeCe Peniston, Ultra Naté, Keiynan Lonsdale, Monki (UK), Moto Blanco (UK), Patrick Mason (GER), AK Sports (US), Jennifer Loveless (GER), Shigeki (JPN), Lisa May (VIC), Marsh Long (VIC), and of course, the fabulous Miss Katalyna, bringing her charisma and talent to the stage!

Marqy hosts today's show on Pride week and what it means in Naarm as diaspora and shares the voices of the queer Pasifika community on the streets of Fitzroy in February 2024.

FAFSWAG in Australia“Art for Pacific people is not just a practice,it’s a lived embodied vocation that allPacific people have” -Tanu Gago (Artist and Founding member of the FAFSWAGQueer Pasifika Art collective)“You don’t need a seat at the table, just build your own Fale” - (Elyssia Wilson-HetiArtist and Producer and member of FAFSWAG)The iconic queer Pasifika interdisciplinary art collective FAFSWAG has landed in Naarm withtheir groundbreaking exhibition Alteration.PX Whanau’s Sonja Hammer has a Talanoa/Korero with three members of the collective(Tanu Gago, Elyssia Wilson- Heti and Nahora Ioane) speaking on a myriad of topics fromtheir art, to personal experiences in the art world, to the politics of being Queer Pasifika FirstNations and an Artist,to the global effect their work is having, to being exhibited for the firsttime here in Naarm, what the future means for them and future collaborations beyondAotearoa which is their home base.“Self determination and the sovereignty of our narrative has been so important” -Elyssia Wilson-Heti“FAFSWAG is a place where artists can come and just figure things out”-Tanu GagoAbout the exhibition Alteration: ‘Meeting at the intersections of cultural archival practices,digital technology and queer Indigenous storytelling, Alteration presents a glimpse into theshapeshifting practice of the FAFSWAG arts collective. Compiled over ten years of artisticoutput, FAFSWAG presents a mixed media archival exhibition of significant works from thecollective between 2013 - 2023.Developed site specifically from 2020 - 2022 for the world's second largest contemporaryarts festival Documenta15 in Kassel Germany.ALTERATION the exhibition is the culmination of a decade of collective social practice, andtwo years of co-design, co-curation, research and production.Featuring work from a massive cross-section of the creative industries from independentpractitioners that continue to share networks, resources, skills and experience. From film tolive performing arts, cultural performance, digital arts and installation, the collective hasmaintained a fluid approach to the arts, often working with a community of practitioners tolead large scale interdisciplinary projects with innovative commercial collaborations. Thesebodies of work contemplate on lineage and legacy, reclaim stolen narratives, speculatefictional futures and redefine their own culture, rebelling against a now predictable and fixedcolonial context.’Artists include:Jermaine Dean, Falencie Filipo, Tanu Gago, Tapuaki Helu, Elyssia Wilson Heti,Nahora loane, Hohua Ropate Kurene, Moe Laga-Toleafoa, Tim Swann, Pati SolomonaTyrell,James Waititi.ABOUT FAFSWAGFAFSWAG was established in 2013 as an informal Queer arts collective from southAuckland. As artists and activists FAFSWAG is committed to social change through arts andinnovation, producing bespoke cultural activations that are cutting-edge, culturallyresponsive and socially relevant. Operating across a multitude of interdisciplinary art formsand genres, FAFSWAG artists work collaboratively to activate public and digital space,speaking to our contexts as Queer Indigenous arts practitioners.The collective has since exhibited and performed around the world, at the Centre Pompidouin Paris France, Moku Pacific HQ in London, Emergency Gallery in Vevey Switzerland,Rotterdam International Film Festival, ImagineNATIVE Toronto Canada, AsinabkaIndigenous arts Festival in Ontario Canada, MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and in 2020represented New Zealand at the 22nd Biennale of Sydney NIRIN. FAFSWAG was alsoawarded the 2020 interdisciplinary Arts Laureate award by the New Zealand ArtsFoundation. In 2022 FAFSWAG represented Aotearoa at the world's second largestContemporary Arts Festival - Documenta15 in Kassel, Germany.Alteration is exhibiting now at the Substation in Newport, Naarm, Victoria in so-calledAustralia. It opened Jan 27 and runs until March 28 as part of Midsumma Photo2024.PX Whanau would like to thank Tanu,Elyssia and Nahora for sharing their words,stories andtime for our special broadcast which went live to air Saturday Feb 10 and the full podcastedinterview for our community.Nga mihi nui xSongs included are: Holding in Place by Naomi Sharon - Tanu’s choiceHaere mai Ra/Sway by Bic Runga ( in te reo Maori ) -Elyssia’s choiceJP NEHEMIA - Henua Manihiki ( Kuki Airani) - Nahora’s choice

On this weeks episode of PX Whanau, Sonja Hammer has a joyful korero with two of the actors from the latest cinema project from Taika Waititi ( the first Indigenous Oscar recipient for Best Adapted Screenplay and groundbreaker director and producer -and actor- from Aotearoa). The film is Next Goal Wins, based on the doco of the same name (2014) but this time it’s a “mostly true” fictionalized version in the usual hilarious,self deprecating vibe that Taika is known for. Sonja’s guests are two of the cast of the film Oscar Kightley (Sione’s Wedding, Dawn Raids, bro’ Town) and David Fane (Our Flag means Death, Outrageous Fortune, Eagle vs Shark, bro’Town ), both amazing film and TV creatives in their own right too, from acting to producing to writing, broadcasting and directing. Household names in Aotearoa, Oscar and David speak on their creative relationship with Taika and their feelings about Fa'afafine representation in the film, a first in many ways for cinema, and the importance of queer Pasifika visibility on screen, but also their own personal experiences with Islander queer community,culture and decolonizing labels and ‘‘normalizing” in the broader sense: “in the islands it’s just normal, it’s just life…we don’t even put labels on it, the labels can mess things up a bit” . Next Goal Wins is screening now throughout Australia through Disney studios.Premise: ‘Dutch American football coach Thomas Rongen faces the option of being fired or accepting an almost impossible task: to convert the American Samoa national team, considered one of the weakest football teams in the world, into an elite squad. The storyline also includes fa'afafine player Jaiyah Saelua ( played by Kaimana), who was the first transgender (Faʻafafine) player ever to compete in a World Cup qualifier game’.  BIOS OSCAR KIGHTLEY Oscar Kightley, MNZM, is a man of many talents. After launching The Naked Samoans, he worked with the comedy troupe over five seasons of hit series bro’Town, NZ's first animated show to play in prime time. The group also featured in movie Sione’s Wedding and its 2012 sequel, both of which Kightley co-wrote. In 2013 he took on a serious role: starring as a Samoan-Kiwi detective in TV series Harry. In 2016 movie hit Hunt for the Wilderpeople, he won laughs as a bumbling policeman. He was part of the voice cast of Aroha Bridge in its second season, before joining the cast of 2020 Taika Waititi movie Next Goal Wins. A 2006 Arts Foundation Laureate Award winner and Qantas Award-winning journalist, Kightley was made a member of the NZ Order of Merit in 2009 for services to theatre and television, and a Senior Pacific Artist at the 2016 Arts Pasifika Awards. In early 2020 he began a three month Fullbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer's Residency in Hawai'i.  DAVID FANE Proud Samoan New Zealander David Fane, ONZM, is one of Aotearoa’s most versatile actors, well known for the eclectic characters he has created across his prolific career on stage and screen. First appearing in the early 90s on sketch comedy shows Skitz and Telly Laughs, Fane went on to become a regular on large and small screens in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Pretty quickly, he realised it's always best to work with people you like, so teamed up with some of his best mates to found theatre company, The Naked Samoans. Their particular brand of cutting-edge satire found an instant audience and has endured over 20 years to produce numerous sell out stage shows, 2 feature films, Sione’s Wedding (released in U.S. as Samoan Wedding) 1 and 2, and the beloved and award winning, animated series, Bro’town, for which Fane co- wrote and voiced multiple iconic characters. Some of Fane’s other film roles include the hit comedy, Tongan Ninja, and Samoan- themed horror film, The Tattooist, for which he received best supporting actor nomination at the NZ Film & Television awards. Fane has previously worked with Taika Waititi on award-winning comedy feature, Eagle vs Shark, and two seasons of the HBO Max run-away piratical hit, Our Flag Means Death. Fane's other well-known TV roles include The Strip, Outrageous Fortune, 800 Words, Fresh Eggs and Australian series The Messenger. In 2016, Fane received Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts Senior Artist award and in 2023 he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the performing arts

Curated by Ella Ganza in association with Joshua Taliani, BLAKOUT is an illustrious celebration of queer Indigenous and Pasifika communities living in so-called Australia.Featuring the children of Meanjin’s House of Alexander, BLAKOUT redefines our communities shared queer and cultural experiences through the fusion of different contemporary art practices. Weaving together ancestral knowledge and story-telling from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations, the opulent nations of Southeast Asia, to the archipelagos of the Pacific, and back to the vibrant ballroom scene in Harlem, New York, this cabaret will showcase blak and brown queer excellence.

PX Whanau Radio live from the streets. Sonia and Marqy chat with guests Tongan Cheek, Kween Kong and Kiki Temple.

Dean Kapi-Tangata is a Registered Nurse who has spent many years advocating for Sexual Reproductive Health and Human Rights as a Youth Peer Educator for the Cook Islands Family Welfare Assosciation, where they started volunteering at the young age of fifteen. Now ten years later, Dean is working for the organization where their voluntary work started as the Humanitarian Focal Coordinator and Comprehensive Sexuality Coordinator after serving the people of the Cook Islands as a Senior Registered Nurse for seven years, working in isolation in some of the most remote parts of the Cook Islands. Dean is passionate about educating the young people of the Cook Islands and advocating for Equity and Equality. They take great pride in their Cook Islands Culture, as shown through their work as a Ta'unga Kapa, Cook Islands Choreographer and enjoys getting heavily involved in their community. Dean is currently working towards a Degree in Counseling, in order to provide further services for their people.

Professor Jioji Ravulo is the Professor and Chair of Social Work and Policy Studies in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work at The University of Sydney. His research, writing and areas of interest include health and wellbeing, youth, diversity and inclusion, decoloniality and educational leadership. He has been involved and invited to author over 70 publications, including peer reviewed journal articles, scholarly book chapters, research reports, and opinion pieces. He is passionate about creating and implementing social work and educational research approaches that are engaging and engaged.

Henry Ahfoo Taripo aka Henzart aka Uncle Henry. A composer, singer, song-writer and performing artist joins PXWHANAU all the way from the beautiful islands of Rarotonga, Kuki Airani. Be sure to tune in and listen to this talanoa.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PXWHANAU RADIO :)

Marqy has a talanoa with Capri as newly appointed Miss Fa'afafine Victoria Director. We talk about pageants, life and similar upbringings. But more to come from this talanoa. Watch this space..

Marqy catches up with PacifiqueX and PX Whanau family member Tony K Fretton and has a chat about awards, performances and sivas.

Marqy speaks to current reigning Miss Fa'afafine Victoria about their upcoming event on 14th October

Yes, Kween!Sonja has a special korero with Kween Kong about what the nomination for the Logies means to them and to our Queer Pasifika community here in Australia, and the challenges and the spaces that have been built by and for our community : " To see versions of excellence within our community...cos we ARE excellence!"Kween is Bold, Brave and Uncompromising....so listen in to this special episode on 3CR to hear the whole interview on Kween's nomination for a Logie in 2023 ( They are the very first Drag Queen to be nominated for The Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent 2023!)

Leo Koziol: a Korero on Māori Cinema and Indigenous Film Sonja has a korero with Leo Koziol a founder of the Wairoa Maori Film Festival and the NZIFF Ngā Whanaunga Selector as well as contributor to Letterboxd from an Indigenous perspective.Leo is founder and director of the Wairoa Māori Film Festival. It is the longest-running indigenous film festival of New Zealand and takes place annually during Matariki in a traditional marae. Leo worked as cultural advisor in the Ministry of Maori Development and is co-curator of Ngā Whanaunga Shorts at the Whānau Mārama NZ International Film Festival. He also curates for various film festivals in Canada, Italy, Polynesia, the United States and Australia. Since 2020, he has been the indigenous editor of Letterboxd. With over 3 million members. Letterboxd is the leading social network for movie buffs and cinema fans alike.

UTU,Patu! Muru and Kaupapa Maori in cinema with Tearepa Kahi Sonja korero's with film maker Tearepa Kahi ( Ngati Paoa,Tainui),filmmaker based in Aotearoa.Tearepa was over in Naarm/Melbourne for a special screening of his film Muru at the Birrarangga Film Festival ( with Papa Tame Iti who stars in his film) in 2023. ‘Raised between Papanui in Christchurch and Pukekohe in South Auckland, New Zealand,Tearepa fell in love with storytelling whilst listening to his ‘muso’/ spud picking father at bedtime.Jim Moriarty’s theatre company came to his high school and after graduating from Burnside,Tearepa begged Jim to join his Theatre Company. Two years on the road, performing to high school students and prison inmates led to the desire to live with his Kuia in Pukekohe and study History at Auckland University. He was handpicked by Don Selywn to play Roreneto (Lorenzo) opposite his wife to be, Reikura, in Te Tangata Whai Rawa o Wēniti, the landmark te Reo Māori version of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. On his 21st birthday, his first proposal for a documentary was funded and he’s been working as a storyteller for the past 20 years, having won numerous awards for documentaries, short films and features. Mt Zion, starring Stan Walker was the most successful local release of 2013 and Poi E: The Story of Our Song, has become the third highest grossing NZ documentary of all time.Their other groundbreaking film is Herbs: Songs of Freedom. Tearepa was mentored by Don Selwyn and Merata Mita. Tearepa has a huge passion for kaupapa Māori stories and has been a board member of the New Zealand International Film Festival for over the past 10 years.’ Muru is his most recent film and feature: Tearepa Kahi drew inspiration for Muru from several events in New Zealand history including the 2007 anti-terror raids on Tuhoe,the Police shooting of Steven Wallace in Waitara in 2000, and the arrest of Māori leader and prophet Rua Kēnana in 1916. At the exposition, Muru contains astatement stating that "this film is not a recreation… it is a response" to the events of the Tuhoe raids’This is such a special korero with Tearepa on all the things that influenced his film Muru and on the ways of kaupapa Maori when creating his films and how they are always very much a community mahi.Includes choice music tracks including Herbs 'Dragons and Demons' and Peter Tosh.Mauri Ora

Paradise Camp: A Talanoa with Yuki Kihara Sonja has a talanoa with Pasifika artist Yuki Kihara as she speaks on her art and her project Paradise Camp which was exhibited in 2023 at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum exhibition space ( the exhibition closed in Feb 2024). Yuki Kihara is an interdisciplinary artist of Japanese and Sāmoan descent. Through a research-based approach, her work seeks to challenge dominant and singular historical narratives through a wide range of mediums, including performance, sculpture, video, photography and curatorial practice. Kihara lives and works in Sāmoa, where she has been based over the past 11 years.Yuki's 'work interrogates and dismantles gender roles, (mis)representation and colonial legacies in the Pacific. She was the first Pasifika, Asian and Fa‘afafine (Sāmoa’s ‘third gender’) artist to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at la Biennale di Venezia.'‘I’m inspired by Powerhouse Museum’s Pacific collections and look forward to presenting new works as part of the Paradise Camp exhibition that questions the idea of modernism as a singular Western heteronormative phenomenon. ’ - Yuki Kihara Photo credit Gui Taccetti Powerhouse Museum - Paradise Camp by Yuki Kihara

The Story of Takatapui & Dr Elizabeth KerekereSonja has a special korero with Dr Elizabeth Kerekere of Aotearoa in April 2023 on what Takatapui means to Maori and queer indigenous community in Aotearoa.Dr Elizabeth Kerekere member of Parliament Aotearoa, Activist, Human Rights Campaigner and Published writer , TakatapuiElizabeth was born in Gisborne where she lives with her wife, Alofa Aiono, her dog Indiana, and cats Havana and Chicago. On her father’s side, she is Whānau a Kai, Ngāti Oneone, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Rongowhakaata and Ngāi Tāmanuhiri. On her mother’s side, Elizabeth hails from County Clare and County Tipperary in Ireland.Elizabeth has been community-based, focused on kaupapa Māori and Te Tiriti issues for 40 years. She works on local and national projects across health, mental health, suicide and violence prevention and youth development. Elizabeth has represented Rainbow and indigenous human rights issues nationally and overseas, including at the United Nations in Geneva.As a leader within Rainbow and youth development sectors for over 30 years, Elizabeth has mentored over 50 youth leaders and young people. Despite her hectic schedule, she is known for dropping everything if one of her young people calls. Elizabeth founded Tīwhanawhana Trust in 2001 to advocate for takatāpui to “tell our stories, build our communities and leave a legacy.” Elizabeth bases all of her work from this tūrangawaewae.Pronouns: She,Her,Ia

Women of the Moana on the screen: A talanoa with Kerry Warkia Sonja talanoas with film producer Kerry Warkia in Naarm in 2023 while she was a special guest for the Melbourne Women in Film Festival with her film Kainga that screened as the clsong night film at the festival.Kerry Warkia (Papua New Guinean- Tolai Clan /Scottish) is a producer who has been at the forefront ofsome of Aotearoa’s most innovative content for film,television and web.In 2016 Kerry produced, ground-breaking feature film WARU made up of eight vignettes and made in collaboration with nine wāhine (female) Māori film-makers.Passionate about telling Māori and Pacific stories, her second feature film Vai set in seven Pacific island countries and made in collaboration with 9 Pacific va'ine had its world premiere at the Berlinale Film Festival 2019.Included in the Vai anthology were two Queer Pasifika stories from Niue and Aotearoa. Her third feature film an action-comedy called The Legend of Baron To'a directed by Kiel McNaughton.And now her fourth is the final of the trilogy begun by WARU and Vai and that is Kainga (2022) which represents the world of Pan-Asian women and their experiences as diaspora and community in Aotearoa.Kerry’s production company,along with her partner Kiel McNaughton, is called Brown Sugar Apple Grunt,and as she says: “ is a dessert that we like to eat a lot of. But we also felt it kind of was us as well. Browncelebrates our ethnicity. Sugar symbolises the fun we like to have. Apple is a reminder to be natural andauthentic. And Grunt is getting the work done.” With the collaborations Kerry has been involved in shesays:“In filmmaking, the essence is collaboration. For something to be really good, there needs to be differentperspectives, techniques and skills from lots of different people. That’s essential to get a film from the seed, right through to the screen.And collaboration is absolutely my jam. It’s a place where I love to be. When a whole team starts working in synergy,incredible things happen. As they did with Waru. And with Vai.“And I do think that women definitely have a different touch and perspective. The way we view the world is different andso are our life experiences. And we bring those differences to our work when we’re making films.”

Pasifika Futurism with Gina ColeSonja has an in depth Talanoa with writer Gina Cole on her science fiction-Pasifika Futurism- novel Na Viro,that is now published (2022) and what motivates her,the concept of Va, the 'space in between',and the interconnectedness between islands and the culture of the Moana and how Pasifika people ARE all connected on the 'Blue Continent' and how Indigenous Futurism is growing as a way of storytelling globally."viewing space,of a space,or galaxy of islands...more expansive and connected which we all are"-Gina Cole  Gina COLE is Fijian, Scottish, and Welsh and lives in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), New Zealand. She is the author of Black Ice Matter, which won the Hubert Church Prize for Best First Book Fiction at the 2017 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Her work has been widely anthologized and has appeared in numerous publications. She is a qualified barrister & solicitor. She holds a Masters of Creative Writing, and a PhD in Creative Writing and is an Honorary Fellow in Writing at the University of Iowa. Her science fiction fantasy novel Na Viro (Huia, 2022) is a work of Pasifikafuturism. Na Viro by Gina Cole (huia.co.nz)