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In Still Here Director Litia Tuiburelevu Photo: Supplied
“With the whole gentrification, with the whole movement of Pacific peoples out of inner city Auckland,” observes Reverend Mua Strickson-Pua in the new series of Still Here on Re:news, “it can be felt that it’s missing its people.”
Inner-city Auckland used to be known as ‘Little Polynesia’. Yet while in 1979 45% of New Zealand’s Pacific Island population lived in the inner suburbs, like Ponsonby and Grey Lynn, by 2018 that figure was more like 2%.
Despite the changes in the inner city remains defiantly a place of belonging, connection and culture for New Zealand Pacific peoples.
'Nuieans of Ariki Street' come together for the series Still Here. Photo: Geoffery Matautia
In Still Here director Litia Tuiburelevu takes us inside the homes, centres and churches that carry forward the different island community's stories and cultural traditions.
Fineone Hakupu community house, Grey Lynn, a pillar of the Nuiean community. Photo: Geoffery Matautia
The just released second series begins with Fineone Hakupu community house, Ariki St, Grey Lynn, which after 50 years remains a cultural hub for Tamaki Makaurau’s Niuean population.
The series moves on to efforts to ensure magnificent Samoa House in Karangahape Road becomes a Samoan community and business centre again. It opened in 1979 with funds raised by the Samoa House Appeal Fund in response to the Dawn Raids. Hidden behind it is the first fale constructed outside of Samoa, but Samoa House is languishing.
Inside the Fale at Samoa House during filming Still Here. Photo: Geoffery Matautia
Still Here then takes us back to Grey Lynn where for 45 years, one of the last remaining Tongan families here, the Koloamatangi have hosted fofo’anga faikava kalapu (kava club) at their home.
Nearby is Polynesian mecca, the Richmond Rovers Rugby League Club in Grey Lynn Park, which Pacific whanau still flock to from all around Auckland.
Litia Tuiburelevu (Fijian, Tongan, Pākehā) is a lawyer, filmmaker and writer. She’s worked as a professional teaching fellow at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Law, teaching the elective course 'Pacific Peoples and the Law' and her study has previously included exploring institutional racism within housing development policy.
Litia grew up in Grey Lynn, but her family like many others eventually moved. In Still Here she demonstrates how they’ve never really left.
The first series of Still Here can also be viewed here.