Compelling artistic work harnessing the creativity of the Pacific to bring the reality of climate change from the islands to COP27. Mana Moana Pasifika Voices is a collection of artistic video works, created to amplify and support the Pacific to drive global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This collection is the second in a series that began in 2021.
The powerful collection of 9 poems was launched at the UN climate change conference in Sharm el-Sheikh. The Twenty-Seventh Conference of the Parties to the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change is reported to bring together 55,000 people for the global negotiations.
“Pacific Islanders are at the front line of climate change. Using poetry and art to share our experiences on the impacts of climate change to our survival and way of life – connects us directly with the heart of people – universally,” said Ms Tagaloa Cooper, Director of Climate Change Resilience of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
The Mana Moana Pasifika Voices spans the Pacific, with powerful pieces that are a call to action for peoples across the Pacific and globally. It culminates in nine poems from eight Pacific Island poets, both past and present. Poets include trail blazing academic, thought leader and creative, the late Teresia Kieuea Teaiwa; Konai Helu Thaman, one of the giants of Pasifika poetry; John Puhiatau Pule, also a leading contemporary artist; Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, a leading voice on climate change and Pasifika poetry; writer and artist Frances Koya; storyteller and editor Rebecca Tobo Olul-Hossen; alongside new voices from Samoa and Aotearoa of Okalani Mariner and Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i.
Each of the poems takes you on a diverse journey of lived experience throughout the Pacific, merging with artists to create a visually moving, digitally enhanced offerings in the series of poems hand-picked by special curator Audrey Brown-Pereira. Filmed and recorded in multiple locations with voices and artistry from across Aotearoa, Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
“These poems provide offerings of wisdom and insight for a new generation and audience to see, hear and understand the interconnected relationship of Pacific Island people with the earth, sky and sea….. A journey of words and art that will let you feel the spirit of resilience, that transcends time and space.” Said Audrey Brown-Pereira Poet and Mana Moana Pasifika curator.
The Pacific islands region is amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change despite contributing to less than 0.03% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement commits to limiting global warming to well below 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
The Mana Moana Pasifika Voices collection will be showcased throughout the COP27 at different events and platforms, including the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion events to help amplify the Pacific voice.
“We are pleased to work with and have the support of our Pacific Island poets and artists in telling our climate change stories,” said Ms Cooper.
Mana Moana Pasifika Voices is supported by Aotearoa New Zealand and coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Mana Moana and Storybox, with the support of Pacific Islands poets and artists, to amplify the Pacific voice at COP27.
These digital poems have been developed to be screened during the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) COP27 and other relevant climate change events.
For further information please visit: https://www.manamoana.co.nz/pasifikavoices2022/ or contact Ms Nanette Woonton, Acting Communications and Outreach Adviser, SPREP at [email protected].
The Mana Moana Pasifika Voices collection can be viewed at:
‘In truth I have gathered you all from the same garden’
Poetry written by Teresia Kieuea Teaiwa and performed by Katerina Teaiwa (Kiribati)
Artwork by Kimi-Moana Whiting with animation by Moretekorohunga Lloyd.
Poetry written by Teresia Kieuea Teaiwa and performed by Katerina Teaiwa (Kiribati)
Artwork by Cora-Allan Wickliffe with animation by Moretekorohunga Lloyd.
Poetry written by Konai Helu Thaman and performed by Mia Kami (Tonga)
Artwork by Tui Emma Gillies and animation by Moretekorohunga Lloyd
Poetry written, performed and artwork by John Puhiatau Pule (Niue)
‘Solo o le Vasa /Poem of the Sea’
Poetry written and performed by Frances Koya (Fiji)
Artwork and animation by Manatoa Productions
Poetry written and performed by Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner (Republic of Marshall Islands)
Poetry written and performed by Okalani Fulisiailagitele Mariner (Samoa)
Poetry written and performed by Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i (Aotearoa/ Samoa)
‘a period on the world map fighting giants’
Poetry written and performed by Rebecca Tobo Olul-Hossen (Vanuatu)
Artwork by Matasangvul Hinge
