Congratulations are in order!

Portrait images of each recipient in a 2x4 grid, framed by tatau motif border in white over black border.

Many congratulations are in order! Read more below to find out why…

The Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards 2020 recognise innovation and excellence in Pacific Arts and their contribution to the rich diversity of Aotearoa as a multi-cultural Pacific nation.

Eight Pasifika artists have been acknowledged today across seven categories with an online video announcement, as well as an intimate celebration with the Arts Council of New Zealand.

This year’s recipients range from award winning interdisciplinary artists who challenge and innovate, an internationally acclaimed visual artist, to an artist reviving the traditional art of Niuean hiapo.

This year there are two recipients of the Pacific Toa Artist Award, Pelenakeke Brown and Lusi Faiva. The award is in its second year and recognises the outstanding contribution of a Pasifika artist with the lived experience of disability. Pelenakeke is currently the interim Artistic Director of Touch Compass, a performance company that works with disabled and non-disabled creatives and is the first disabled artist to lead the company. Lusi is a founding member of Touch Compass, who has performed with the company for the last 24 years.

Two founding members of Touch Compass acknowledged at once - wonderful! Congratulations also to the other recipients: Michel Tuffery, Tanya Muagututi'a, Moses Mackay, Pati Solomona Tyrell, Tanu Gago and Cora-Allan Wickliffe.

A Pākehā (Duncan) is sitting with two people in front of him fixing the front of his. top. He is wearing a collar, with purple lipstick on and his hair gelled forward into a spike.

Huge congratulations also to Duncan Armstrong for the Arts Access PAK’nSAVE Artistic Achievement Award 2020!

Duncan Armstrong has spent the past 14 years pursuing his career with single-minded determination. And he’s not about to be pigeon-holed: he wants to do everything.

Read Duncan's story here