Uploaded May 2022 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Māori and Pasifika only represent about 2% of those working in the creative tech sector. We all want this to change.
Ōtara 4.0 is a series of exciting and innovative Talanoa sessions allocated over five consecutive Wednesday evenings in May and June 2022. Each guest from the creative technologies sector will share their career stories and provide insights into their chosen career path. In addition to having a background in creative technologies, all speakers will be of Māori or Pacific heritage, and in most cases, have a personal link to South Auckland.
The after-school sessions will be held at the rear of the Hillary House Leadership Centre, the iconic family home of NZ mountaineer, explorer and innovator Sir Edmund Hillary. The relaxed and casual sessions will be hosted by young, Ōtara born and bred MC, and star of TVNZ's latest show 'O-Town Dreaming' Jesse Gibson.
Media Design School and the Ministry of Education are primary sponsors of Ōtara 4.0, which was initiated by Pasifika artists/creatives Iokapeta Magele-Suamasi, Ali Cowley and Andrew Tui, with South Auckland youth at the heart of this collaboration!
Wednesday May 18 - Animation & Visual Effects
Guest speakers:
Ali Cowley (Samoa), Media Design School
Evo Leota-Tupou (Samoa/Tonga), Pacific Kids Learning
Kennedy Kioa Toi Faimanifo (Samoa/Māori), Manatoa Productions
Māori and Pasifika only represent about 2% of those working in the creative tech sector. We all want this to change.
Ōtara 4.0 is a series of exciting and innovative Talanoa sessions allocated over five consecutive Wednesday evenings in May and June 2022. Each guest from the creative technologies sector will share their career stories and provide insights into their chosen career path. In addition to having a background in creative technologies, all speakers will be of Māori or Pacific heritage, and in most cases, have a personal link to South Auckland.
The after-school sessions will be held at the rear of the Hillary House Leadership Centre, the iconic family home of NZ mountaineer, explorer and innovator Sir Edmund Hillary. The relaxed and casual sessions will be hosted by young, Ōtara born and bred MC, and star of TVNZ's latest show 'O-Town Dreaming' Jesse Gibson.
Media Design School and the Ministry of Education are primary sponsors of Ōtara 4.0, which was initiated by Pasifika artists/creatives Iokapeta Magele-Suamasi, Ali Cowley and Andrew Tui, with South Auckland youth at the heart of this collaboration!
Wednesday May 18 - Animation & Visual Effects
Guest speakers:
Ali Cowley (Samoa), Media Design School
Evo Leota-Tupou (Samoa/Tonga), Pacific Kids Learning
Kennedy Kioa Toi Faimanifo (Samoa/Māori), Manatoa Productions










