SOUNZ Centre for NZ Music Appoints Samoan Broadcaster as Moana Pacific Musics Specialist

Samoan broadcaster and communications specialist Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava has been appointed as the Moana Pacific Musics Specialist at SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music, Toi te Arapūoru. Tau’ili’ili is tasked with implementing the SOUNZ Moana Pacific Peoples Musics Strategy.

Tau’ili’ili has a background in marketing, business development and communications. He is the recipient of three international music awards and has hosted TV shows in New Zealand and abroad, including radio breakfast shows for Radio Samoa and PMN 531pi. His twenty-year career has spanned the Middle East and Australasia.

SOUNZ Chief Executive Diana Marsh says, ”We are delighted to have someone of Tau’ili’ili’s calibre leading the implementation of this strategy. He brings a wealth of expertise and experience to this role and has already had significant involvement in the development of the strategy and other SOUNZ projects.”

Tau’ili’ili was the host and co-producer for the SOUNZ podcast series Sounds of the Moana, which recently won Gold at the prestigious New York Festivals Radio Awards. He also managed and researched material for the SOUNZ Pacific Animations Project in 2021.

Tau’ili’ili says, “Two ancient Samoan alaga’upu/proverb come to mind in assessing the magnitude of this collaboration; 1). O le ala ile pule o le tautua, i.e. the pathway to leadership is grown/earnt/learnt through service! Whilst the proverb foretells the relationship of instant reward should we choose the path of service, I see it as a legacy action for the leaders birthed, nurtured, and supported in a time that is currently tangible only through visions and dreams. For our greatest moments remain ahead of us. Therefore, it gives me and my aiga the greatest of pleasure and honour of contributing to tomorrow’s leaders via this humble opportunity. Which brings me to 2). A fa’amaoni i mea iti, ta te pulea mea e tele; remain hopeful in the grouping of tiny pebbles, for it will collectively form the cornerstone of a better tomorrow.”

The SOUNZ Moana Pacific Peoples Musics Strategy was initially scoped in 2020, and developed in 2021. SOUNZ worked closely with Moana Pacific music elders, practitioners and knowledge holders to develop an appropriate strategy for the music community in Aotearoa.

SOUNZ champions and promotes the sounds and music of Aotearoa New Zealand. It has been operating as a Wellington based national organisation since 1991.

Image credit: SOUNZ