Updating Pasifika play "Maui & Sina"...

 

I'm currently working on updating my first Pasifika play as discussed in earlier blogs in being selected as a recommended Drama text for Year 9 - 10 (13 - 15 year olds) in the new New Zealand curriculum for 2027.

It's quite an honour, as a former high school English teacher, as I remember teaching many different texts back in those days but to have been chosen out of so many other amazing writer is quite a humbling experience and also a real blessing.

When I first wrote it for the stage, back in 1994 and then published it in 2015, I had dedicated it to my parents and acknowledged my husband and children for their support and that won't change. However, I think I will make a few adjustments, including my 'birth church' Mangere PIPC Pacific Islanders Presbyterian church as that was where I first started writing my plays and had them enacted as Christmas plays, creative dance, shorts skits and dramas etc. with still more to come...

275 to the World Day & a special birthday...

On 27th of May, it was my late father's birthday and we celebrated it with a cake. He would have been 88 years old but he passed away when he was 84.

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On the same day, I visited our local '275 Day' which was a celebration of our local area called 275. It was so-called after the telephone prefix that was probably distributed around the 1980s.

The day was celebrated at the outside carpark of our local shopping centre with lots of food stalls, local clothing brands, social services based in our communities and even my workplace had a stall.

What was neat was how packed it was with so many people turning out to support and celebrate during the day as it started at 10am and then finished at 8pm.

There was also a stage for local performers with lots of youth attending, families and many with their strollers to take their children out for a day.

It was a very encouraging celebration and I enjoyed a seafood chowder at our local 'Koha Cafe' and also gave a donation for a fish soup that went to the local Bike Association. I think it was well organised and very well supported by the community...
 

"Pink Breakfast" fundraiser at work for Breast cancer research...

Last week, I forgot to post about my work's 'Pink Breakfast' day on Friday. It was so neat to see women and men wearing pink for the day as a fundraiser for Breast cancer research.

I had an idea that I passed on to our senior management coordinator, who ran with it her amazing Admin' team and they organised our first pink breakfast fundraiser at work.

Everyone was invited to bring along a plate for brunch and to wear pink, if they so desired. This was so fun as there were so many different shades of pink, from light pink to bright fuchsia.

As for food, we had lots of pink lamingtons, cupcakes with pink icing, bacon bites (ha ha ha), and pink biscuits, etc. The table was a pink delight, and we had a fun and enjoyable time catching up with one another.

The decorations were pink, with pink buntings, pink balloons, pink serviette and table decorations, pink paper plates, and a pink tablecloth with pink accents and sprinkles. It was indeed a lot of fun for all who participated in the fundraiser...

 

Purses for my nurses...

 

Here are a few samples of the purses I made for Mother's Day a couple of weeks ago. I first learned to make them by buying a kit, and the rest is history.

I liked the design so much that I've been making them ever since and have added my designs in the colours of the materials I use and the various trims.

I've also been able to source some of my hardware online, which helps to keep the materials reasonably priced rather than buying the supplies at my local craft store, which is much more expensive.

My daughters like them so much that they've asked me to sell them on Etsy (online crafters store) which I'm still thinking about as I'm a very busy woman and it might take the joy out of making them for customers.

I'm currently working on colour-coordinating them in colour families, e.g., Paua Blues and greens, Whites, Greys, Pinks and purples, blacks, multi-colours, etc. All have the label "handmade" on them clasps or lock clasps. The handles range from body cross-overs to shorter to those with a more 'chunkier' look. 

Yeap! never a dull moment as an artist...

"Maui and Sina" selected as a Drama text for new NZ curriculum...

 

I'm still buzzing about one of my books, my first play, "Maui and Sina" (2015), although written in 1994, being selected for the Year 9 - 10 English drama texts (as pictured above). It's been recommended as one of the texts to study in the Draft text list for the upcoming NZ curriculum, which will be taught in 2027, with more titles to come.

It's not a full list, at this stage, but to have come this far on its journey as my first play is amazing, to say the least, as a former English teacher from 1991 - 1996. As afterwards, I continued my career into Education facilitation and contracts before becoming a lecturer/teacher in tertiary education at a Māori institution of higher learning i.e. Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

At the time of writing the play, I was only a fourth-year teacher with big writing dreams who decided to write an "epic" drama. I still remember the interest and playing to a full house with Patsy Fata as the art director and Mr Holden (I forget his first name) as our Lighting director.

The proudest moment for me at that time was having my family, and especially my parents, watching the Production. I know my dad was also quietly proud, as some of the play portrayed some of the characteristics of a firm and stern dad, much like my dad, and the mum was strong but caring, much like my mum.

It has remnants of Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story, both plays that I studied and/or taught. I also feel humbled to be chosen among esteemed writers such as William Shakespeare, Patricia Grace, Witi Ihimaera, etc. I've passed it on to my children to read and they've also enjoyed it too...

"Maui & Sina" my 1st Pasifika play recognized in upcoming NZ English curriculum...

 What movies and books will students be studying under the proposed English curriculum? | RNZ News

Today, I was totally surprised to find an article written by the RNZ (Radio NZ) about the suggested movies and books that students could/should be studying under the proposed new English curriculum for Years 7 - 13 students. (The article can be found if you click the link above).

What surprised me was finding a reference to the first Pasifika play that I first wrote back in 1994 when I was a fledging English teacher in a South Auckland high school.

What got me jumping for joy was that it was considered in the drama category for Year 9 - 10 students in the Drama category next to William Shakepeare's "Macbeth". This was a play that I had taught back in high school and to see it alongside an internationally esteemed writer was a real big deal for me (over the moon to say the least!).

During the COVID Pandemic, I had read an article from English teachers that the play had been mentioned as recommended for Year 10 Drama (earlier blog). That in itself was a boost for me as a writer in the play being recognized having merit to teach in high schools (which hadn't been my initial intention).

As I had written that book in defiance in having watched a local school's theatre production by a Pasifika teacher on an English/European fairy tale at a mainly Māori and Pasifika high school. Although it was nicely produced, it got me started on writing six other full-length productions relating to Māori and Pasifika themes, authentic storylines and main characters.

It was the first Pasifika play that I then Indie published in 2015 and followed by four others with another two more to publish. It's now the 10th anniversary of the publishing of that first book and receiving acknowledgement is a cherry on top.

I will now be releasing an updated second edition for those schools to be re-launched later in the year for those who are interested in teaching it to their students. I did write a few of my then jokes for the play as in knowing my audience, I wanted them to laugh along in knowing that there were some of the hard-hitting themes that I was writing about...

Revalidation of a First Aid Certificate...

 

Yesterday, it was a privilege to revalidate my First Aid Certificate through a provider called "First Aid for All." It's the same company that my workplace has used, and every time, there's something new to learn about being a First Aider.

One of the many reasons my workplace provides this for kaiako or teachers is that we work mainly with adults, and sometimes medical issues arise in the class, and we have to be aware of how to deal with such issues.

The First Aid certificate is only valid for two years, so we have to validate it every two years to confirm its validity as a First Aider.

One of the things that's important to learn for me is the correct way to administer CPR, as it's a life-threatening situation when someone is unable to breathe suddenly.

Over the years, I've learned a lot about how to deal with many different scenarios that we're given to consider, i.e. how to assist someone who is choking and treating burns and many more scenarios. So I'd definitely encourage you to sign up as you never know when you'll need to use the skills learned... 

Practical art projects for family and friends...

 

I have a new hobby atm (at the moment) in creating patchwork-like sewn shoulder purses and adding gold, silver or black accessories to them.

This particular one pictured has one of my favourite wool designs. I've added a black trim and gold accessories.

I've made one for my mum and each child, my little sister, my niece, and a good friend so far, and I still have a few more to make.

I like this particular art project because it's practical. It brings me a lot of joy when I'm able to make art that's practical and usable for my friends and family to enjoy and use daily, and what better than a purse for ladies?

I gifted my eldest the purse above. It is made from Turkish wool with a paua-like sheen, and I just love the blue, aqua, and gold accents. I added a longer shoulder strap as it's more handy than the shorter straps I added to other purses.

I'm not sure what my next art project will be, as I've started at the beginning of the year in sewing patchwork quilts, embroidering pillow cases, but with the onset of winter, I've seen a pattern of crocheting beanies that I definitely want to give it a go...

Film by Fritz Filisi...

 Here's a note from my beloved on his PhD journey so far...

Youtube Link

https://youtu.be/MYeBBQ1y6Oo

google drive

https://f.io/GHoWKsb2

 

 

Talofa & Kia ora Everyone,

My name is Fritz Filisi, and I am pleased to share my 10-minute test film, created as part of my PhD admission process, scheduled for 14 June 2025. I would be sincerely grateful if you could kindly share the YouTube link within your networks. Your support in distributing the film will significantly help promote it within local communities and bolster my candidacy for this important academic opportunity.

The film is also set to be submitted to the following three international film festivals:

1. South Pacific Film Festival – Auckland, 16 May 2025
2. Pacific Island Film Festival of NYC – New York, 11 July 2025
3. Pacific Ocean Short Film Festival – Melbourne, 15 December 2025

The film explores auala, an ancient funerary custom still practiced in Sāmoa today. When a chief passes, orators gather to recite genealogies and oral histories that link titles, clans, and land to the sacred lagi (heavens) of the old gods. The narrative is presented through the perspective of Tofaeono, a high chief from the village of Si’umu. The film is taonga to my village of Si’umu and its people.

Thank you for your time and support. Your assistance means a great deal.

 Fa’afetai tele lava,

 Tofilau Fritz Filisi