Fenoga Tāoga Niue I Aotearoa - Niue Heritage Journey In Aotearoa
First exhibited at Mangere Arts Centre - Nga Tohu o Uenuku on Saturday 1st April 2023
Second iteration was at Pātaka Museum + Art (Porirua) in November 2023 closing in February 2024 .
Our third iteration of Fenoga Tāoga Niue I Aotearoa - Niue Heritage Journey in Aotearoa is now live in the Pacific Collaborative Space on Level 1 of the Herenga Mātauranga Whānui General Library at the University of Auckland.
Please click on the image above to read a book review by Inangaro Vakaafi on the Falepipi he Mafola publication.
Fenoga Tāoga Niue I Aotearoa
Niue Heritage Journey In Aotearoa
Celebrating the 30 – year journey of Falepipi he Mafola Niuean Handcraft Group Inc, based in Ōtāhuhu since 1993.
Featuring projects and treasures made by Falepipi he Mafola Niuean Handcraft Group Inc, this exhibition honours over 50 loved ones who have since passed on and the wealth of knowledges, skills and wisdom of the current members – tāoga, treasures.
From the villages of Tuapa Uhomotu, Alofi, Namukulu, Makefu, Liku, Hikutavake, Hakupu, Avatele, Tamakautoga, Mutalau and Toi, the Falepipi he Mafola Group has been meeting at the Ōtāhuhu Town Hall Community Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland every Thursday from 10am to 2pm since 1993 and continues to do so. It plays an invaluable role in continuing, revolving and preserving the knowledges and practices of Niuean culture and heritage in Aotearoa.
The Fenoga Tāoga Niue I Aotearoa – Niue Heritage Journey In Aotearoa season at Pātaka represents a homecoming for some of the Falepipi he Mafola group, including founding member, Molima Molly Pihigia QSM, who spent many years living in Porirua.
Publication
In January 2024 we officially launched Falepipi he Mafola’s publication. This beautiful 500 page publication showcases the Niuean craftwork of Falepipi he Mafola - Niuean Handcraft Group with stories from 49 contributors. Published by Mafola Press and designed by Janson Chau of Alt Group @altgroup , this self-published work showcases captivating images sourced from Toaki Okano and the Falepipi archives.
If you wish to purchase a copy of the publication please contact barbara@lagi-maama.com
“As a child growing up in Niue I would observe the women as they wove beautiful baskets, mats, hats and many other crafts. This was a sanctuary for many to share thoughts, stories, sometimes songs, talk about their lives and families. ”
“The publication to celebrate their anniversary is suitably epic. Its 500 pages are filled with personal testimonies and beautiful colour photographs of the works and their makers. There are baskets, costumes, mats, fans and wall hangings, made not only with luscious natural fibres but also brightly coloured raffia and even recycled plastic bags. ”
Opening of Fenoga Tāoga Niue I Aotearoa Niue Heritage Journey In Aotearoa at Mangere Arts Centre April 2023
Takalo, Junior Osikai
Sir Haare Mahanga Te Wehinga Williams KNZM JP
Molima Molly Osikai Pihigia QSM
Mrs Matafetu Smith
Lemauga Lydia Sosene, MP Mangere Electorate
Jarcinda Stowers-Ama, director of the Pacifica Arts Centre
Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai MNZM Lagi-Maama
Joy Sipeli
Hon Fisa Pihigia Niue High Commissioner
Rev Vaione Pennie Otto
Olive, Hakehakehekafa, Molly and Foufili
Opening at Pātaka Art + Museum of Fenoga Tāoga Niue I Aotearoa Niue Heritage Journey In Aotearoa on Saturday 18 November 2023
Opening at Pātaka Art + Museum
Fenoga Tāoga Niue I Aotearoa exhibition at Pātaka
Fenoga Tāoga Niue I Aotearoa exhibition at Pātaka
Falepipi he Mafola performing at the opening of Fenoga Tāoga Niue I Aotearoa exhibition at Pātaka
Fapasi Tuhega
Falepipi Chair Hakehakehekafa Togiaheulu with her son John, grandson Carlos and great grand daughter Lakiya
Rev Falkland Liuvaie
Mama Grace and Terry
Jonathan Austin Divisional Manager - Pacific Regional Division MFAT
Falepipi performing at opening
Molly, Rev Falkland Liuvaie, Fapasi & Rosie
Pacific Collaborative Space on Level 1 of the Herenga Mātauranga Whānui General Library at the University of Auckland.
Blessing at Pacific Collaborative Space Herenga Mātauranga Whānui General Library at the University of Auckland.
AUFANA
Display for our three master weavers
Felicity Bollen Director of Pacific Connections at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Advisor Florence Curr
Dr Nuhisifa Seve-Williams with Molima Molly
Hakehakehekafa Togiaheulu Falepipi Chair with Felicity Bollen (MFAT)
Chairperson Hakehakehekafa with her son John and great grand daughter Lakiya
Molima Molly and Annie Johnson (Mama J) from Foundation North
Together with the amazing Fay Nanai, Pacific Engagement Lead who made this all possible
Ioane Aleke Fa'avae
What People Are Saying
Video lovingly created by PetuGrace with Favona Niuean Bilingual Unit
“Meitaki ma’ata! Such a BEAUTIFUL exhibition and stories of your amazing works together. Makes my heart sing to see your LOVE for Niue and each other, through the works in your hands xx”
— Ani
Molima Molly Pihigia, Janeta Tiatia with the beautiful Malama T Pole on Tagata Pasifka
“Fakaue Lahi kia!. Fulufuluola mahaki!
So proud to see our Niuean crafts here! May this inspire our younger generation to continue these crafts so our works continue to be seen!
Love love love it!”
— Jessie Atutolu - Tulisi
“Thank you Lagi-Maama and the Falepipi he Mafola Group for showcasing important history of Niuean arts and culture journey in Aotearoa.
Collecting history of migration and generational stories of work, family, church and retaining language and culture through art is inspiration.
May God continue to bless you all and your families and the important work Curators and community collaborations together make impact change and raise awareness.”
— Pickering family (Fiji)
Niue, Niue Haku Motu - Andrew Tamatoa performed by The Falepipi he Mafola Handcraft group