Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
“I can’t imagine the feeling of being able to speak the words of your ancestors, and then being able to bear the marks of them as well.”
Participants thanks:
Poasa Alaifea
Nina Oberg Humphries
Matua Faiva Su'a Peter Sulu'ape
Thanks to:
Jase Tiatia
Sam Limu-Franklin
Sam Lemalie
Peter Saili
Daisy Alaifea
Leina Fofoa
Emily Molio'o
Fiaola Ah Kuoi - Lemalie
Tufuga & Koso Team
Matua Faiva Su'a Peter Sulu'ape
Meana'itaua Penina Sulu'ape
Lemalu Vienna Masoe
Tualoaina Venu Masoe
Tafesilafa'i Kaki Danielson
Samu Puna Oto
‘Auta Ancestral Markings Funders
The Arts Foundation
Rata Foundation
Tagata Moana Trust
Fibre Gallery
Special Thanks to
Rev. Makesi Alatimu
Faletua Tauti Olivia Tusa
Taufalemau Mama Sara Tiatia
Camp Parents Tupuola Mark Molio'o and Roline Molio'o
Josua Houghton
Maria Lemalie
Isu Fialele
All of the extended family members, friends and awesome Pasifika family in Christchurch.
In memory of
Sala'ivao Paia Alaifea & Renata Fonopaia Vakata.
Archive photographs provided by
Poasa Alaifea
National Library of New Zealand, Thomas Andrew (Public Domain)
Moana (1926), Robert Flaherty (Public Domain)
Director and Producer: Gerard Smyth
Cameras: Antony Miller and Gerard Smyth
Line Producers: Kirsty Cooper & Antony Miller
Editor: Sarah Grohnert
Colour & Online: Mike Kelland
Audio Post: Chris Sinclair
Written article by Eva Kershaw
Funded by NZ On Air
Frank Film
Frank Stories from the South
Samoan tattoo
Tatau
Malofie
Pe’a
Malu
Pacific stories
Pasifika culture
Cultural identity
Traditional tattoo
Christchurch Samoan community
Tufuga
Su’a Peter Sulu’ape
Poasa Alaifea
Polynesian tattooing
Samoan diaspora
Tatau tapping
Samoa
Samoan heritage
New Zealand Pacific communities
Pasifika pride
Cultural rites of passage
Samoan youth
Tattoo documentary
Tagata Moana
Samoan men pe’a
Christchurch cultural events
Traditional Samoan art
“I can’t imagine the feeling of being able to speak the words of your ancestors, and then being able to bear the marks of them as well.”
Participants thanks:
Poasa Alaifea
Nina Oberg Humphries
Matua Faiva Su'a Peter Sulu'ape
Thanks to:
Jase Tiatia
Sam Limu-Franklin
Sam Lemalie
Peter Saili
Daisy Alaifea
Leina Fofoa
Emily Molio'o
Fiaola Ah Kuoi - Lemalie
Tufuga & Koso Team
Matua Faiva Su'a Peter Sulu'ape
Meana'itaua Penina Sulu'ape
Lemalu Vienna Masoe
Tualoaina Venu Masoe
Tafesilafa'i Kaki Danielson
Samu Puna Oto
‘Auta Ancestral Markings Funders
The Arts Foundation
Rata Foundation
Tagata Moana Trust
Fibre Gallery
Special Thanks to
Rev. Makesi Alatimu
Faletua Tauti Olivia Tusa
Taufalemau Mama Sara Tiatia
Camp Parents Tupuola Mark Molio'o and Roline Molio'o
Josua Houghton
Maria Lemalie
Isu Fialele
All of the extended family members, friends and awesome Pasifika family in Christchurch.
In memory of
Sala'ivao Paia Alaifea & Renata Fonopaia Vakata.
Archive photographs provided by
Poasa Alaifea
National Library of New Zealand, Thomas Andrew (Public Domain)
Moana (1926), Robert Flaherty (Public Domain)
Director and Producer: Gerard Smyth
Cameras: Antony Miller and Gerard Smyth
Line Producers: Kirsty Cooper & Antony Miller
Editor: Sarah Grohnert
Colour & Online: Mike Kelland
Audio Post: Chris Sinclair
Written article by Eva Kershaw
Funded by NZ On Air
Frank Film
Frank Stories from the South
Samoan tattoo
Tatau
Malofie
Pe’a
Malu
Pacific stories
Pasifika culture
Cultural identity
Traditional tattoo
Christchurch Samoan community
Tufuga
Su’a Peter Sulu’ape
Poasa Alaifea
Polynesian tattooing
Samoan diaspora
Tatau tapping
Samoa
Samoan heritage
New Zealand Pacific communities
Pasifika pride
Cultural rites of passage
Samoan youth
Tattoo documentary
Tagata Moana
Samoan men pe’a
Christchurch cultural events
Traditional Samoan art
