At the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards 2024, held in the Wellington Beehive, WIFT member, Tusiata Avia MNZM was honored with the prestigious Senior Pacific Artist Award, celebrating her exceptional contributions to literature and performance.
Reflecting on her journey from receiving the emerging artist award two decades ago, she remarked, “I think it was 20 years ago I won the emerging award so It's really nice to have those two…from emerging to senior and 20 years in between. It’s lovely to get that recognition particularly when it’s been a rough couple of years politically”
“We’re moving into a really right wing, racist time so even though I haven’t enjoyed being here in parliament, it’s good that we make our presence known. I think it’s good for us as Pacific artists and it’s good for other Pacific Artists to see we’re still standing our ground.”
Her play Savage Coloniser is currently being performed in South Korea, following successful showings across cities in Aotearoa!
Watch the trailer for The Savage Coloniser Show