Eight Pacific poets have been named as the first creatives to be supported under the Tala: Sharing Pacific Stories publishing initiative.
In August, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) and Creative New Zealand launched Tala: Sharing Pacific Stories, a publishing initiative designed to uplift Pacific voices, languages, and perspectives by turning them into published works.
Tala: Sharing Pacific Stories was designed to ensure Pacific artists have the opportunity to see their stories published, celebrated, and preserved for future generations.
Tala is now putting its vision into action with the announcement that eight Pacific poets are set to be published for the first time.
Sarah Finau, Henry Taripo, Ziu Freshwater, Henrietta Makatogia, Danika Thompson, Sandra Tisam, Dr Romona Tiatia, and Jonjon Tolovae are the eight selected, bringing diverse cultures, identities, and lived experiences into their work.
Each will explore language revitalisation, cultural pride, gender identity, and ancestral knowledge.
Sandra Tisam, of Cook Islands descent and born in Papua New Guinea, says the project is “a privilege” and a chance to “share Pacific Stories with Pacific Communities” and to share her language with a wider audience.
Danika Thompson echoed Sandra’s word saying, “Pacific voices carry weight and deserve to be heard,” while highlighting the importance Tala played in reaching a wider, more diverse audience.
When launching Tala, Secretary for Pacific Peoples Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone said, “Language connects us to our land, our people, and our stories. By investing in Pacific language literature, we’re helping to keep those connections strong and ensuring Pacific peoples can continue to share their stories in the languages of their ancestors.”
Tala is just one component of a bigger push to support Pacific artists in Aotearoa, making sure their stories don’t just get written but actually reach people now and into the future.
The first publication from Tala: Sharing Pacific Stories will be released in early 2026, with launch events planned across Aotearoa to celebrate the poets and their communities.
Watch this space to see where Tala events will be happening and to find out more about the stories as they’re shared with communities across Aotearoa.
Image credit: Creative New Zealand. Pictured L-R: Zui Freshwater, Henrietta Makatogia, Sandra Tisam, Jonjon Tolovae. Henry Ah Foo Taripo, Danika Thompson, Sarah Finah, and Dr Ramona Tiatia (Images supplied).