This tofua or waist garment is from the island of Rotuma. It is made from vovoi or pandanus – with a finely woven waisband, decorated with green and blue coloured wool and the body comprised of ruffled strips of vovoi.

Collection of Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, 1949.11.

Fesaitu Solomone is a Consultant with significant management

experience in the Television Media Industry for over 23 years. She is

the Rotuman Language Educator at Pasifika Education Centre since 2017 and a member of the Pacific Advisory Board for Auckland War Memorial Museum since 2020. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Auckland. Her passion and love for her Rotuman language extended to her work as the Senior Translator and on-air Presenter of the Rotuman language during COVID-19.

“We view ARTS as a “GIFT – Tēfakhanisi’ and ‘TALENT – Talene” from God (‘Ḁitu) handed down to our ancestors from one generation to another. It is unique knowledge to us and only chosen few possess it. All art forms encapsulate the nature of us as Rotumans that are harnessed and treasured amongst our people”.