Arts Pasifika Awards

The Arts Pasifika Awards celebrate excellence in Pacific arts in New Zealand. The annual awards are administered by Creative New Zealand and are the only national awards for Pasifika artists across all artforms.

The Arts Pasifika Awards include the awards for: Emerging Pacific Artist; Iosefa Enari Memorial Award; Pacific Heritage Art Award (from 2004); Contemporary Pacific Art Award; Senior Pacific Artist Award; Special Recognition Award (from 2013); and Pacific Toa Artist Award (from 2019).

Emerging Pacific Artist

 * 2023 David Feauai-Afaese
 * 2022 Dahlia Malaeulu
 * 2021 Vivian Aue
 * 2020 Pati Solomona Tyrell
 * 2019 Tyla Veau
 * 2018 Leki Jackson Bourke
 * 2017 Tupua Tigafua
 * 2016 Anonymouz (Matthew Faiumu Salapu)
 * 2015 Ane Tonga
 * 2014 Grace Taylor
 * 2013 Suli Moa
 * 2012 Justin Haiu
 * 2011 Kulimoe'anga 'Stone' Maka
 * 2010 Visesio Siasau
 * 2009 Poulima Salima
 * 2008 Tuāfale Tanoa’i AKA Linda T.
 * 2007 WakaUra Dance Group
 * 2006 Tusiata Avia
 * 2005 Mīria George
 * 2004 Lonnie Hutchinson
 * 2003 Shigeyuki Kihara
 * 2002 Peter Panoa

Iosefa Enari Memorial Award

 * 2023 Hayden Afele-Nickel
 * 2022 Joshua Pearson
 * 2021 Ridge Ponini
 * 2020 Moses Mackay
 * 2019 Samson Setu
 * 2018 Benson Wilson
 * 2017 Filipe Manu
 * 2016 Madison Nonoa
 * 2015 Manase Tapuaki Mei Langi Latu
 * 2014 No award given
 * 2013 Natalia Mann
 * 2012 Isabella Moore
 * 2011 Marlena Devoe
 * 2010 Pene Junior Pati
 * 2009 Elisha Na’otala Fa’I
 * 2008 James Ioelu
 * 2007 Sani Muamaseali’i
 * 2006 Aivale Cole
 * 2005 Ramonda Taleni
 * 2004 Bonadventure Allan-Moetaua
 * 2003 Daphne Collins
 * 2002 Ben Makisi

Pacific Heritage Art Award
This award began in 2004.


 * 2023 Losalia Milika Pusiaki Fifita
 * 2022 Daren Kamali
 * 2021 Tupumaiaga A Niue Trust
 * 2020 Cora-Allan Wickliffe
 * 2019 Louisa Humphry & Kaetaeta Watson
 * 2018 Sulieti Fieme'a Burrows & Tui Emma Gillies
 * 2017 Lakiloko Keakea
 * 2016 Tuaine-Nurse Tamarua Robati
 * 2015 Joana Monolagi
 * 2014 Sinakiteu Women Development Group
 * 2013 Ioane Aleke Fa’avae
 * 2012 Atafu Tokelau Community Group
 * 2011 Mary Ama and the Pacifica Mamas
 * 2010 Kalameli Ihaia-Alefosio
 * 2010 O Mata! Tokelau Dance Group
 * 2009 Falepipi he Mafola
 * 2008 Enuamanu Maruarua Atiu Society
 * 2007 Dr. Okusi Mahina
 * 2006 Tau Fuata Niue
 * 2005 Mafi Malaga III
 * 2004 Kepueli Vaomotou

Contemporary Pacific Art Award

 * 2023 Katrina Iosia
 * 2022 Kulimoe'anga 'Stone' Maka
 * 2021 Tupe Lualua
 * 2020 Tanu Gago
 * 2019 Anapela Polataivao
 * 2018 Angela Tiatia
 * 2017 Kalisolaite Uhila
 * 2016 Karlo Mila
 * 2015 Lonnie Hutchinson
 * 2014 Dagmar Dyck
 * 2013 Victor Rodger
 * 2012 Ema Tavola
 * 2011 Janet Lilo
 * 2010 Michel Tuffery
 * 2009 Shigeyuki Kihara
 * 2008 Dianna Fuemana
 * 2007 Nina Nawalowalo
 * 2006 Sima Urale
 * 2005 John Ioane
 * 2004 Lemi Ponifasio (MAU Dance)
 * 2003 Filipe Tohi
 * 2002 Richard Shortland-Cooper

Senior Pacific Artist Award

 * 2023 Ani O'Neill (Ngāti Makea, Ngāti Te Tika)
 * 2023 Lonnie Hutchinson (Ngāi Tahu, Samoan, Celtic)
 * 2022 Fatu Feu’u
 * 2021 Andy Leleisi'uao
 * 2020 Michel Tuffery
 * 2019 Eteuati Ete
 * 2018 Rosanna Raymond
 * 2017 Nina Nawalowalo
 * 2016 Dave Fane & Oscar Kightley
 * 2015 Neil Ieremia
 * 2014 Steve Ma Ching
 * 2013 Jonathan Lemalu
 * 2012 Lemi Ponifasio
 * 2011 Annie Crummer
 * 2010 Misa Emma Kesha
 * 2009 Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi
 * 2008 Igelese Ete
 * 2007 Justine Simei-Barton
 * 2006 Jim Vivieaere
 * 2005 Opetaia Foa’ai (Te Vaka)
 * 2004 Nathaniel Lees
 * 2003 Albert Wendt
 * 2002 Johnny Penisula

Special Recognition Award
This award began in 2013 to "recognise special contribution to the standing, and standard, of Pacific arts in Aotearoa and/or internationally".


 * 2023 Falepipi he Mafola Niuean Handcraft Inc
 * 2022 Fa'amoana Luafutu
 * 2022 Troy Tu’ua
 * 2021 Lindah Lepou
 * 2020 Tanya Muagututi'a
 * 2019 Glenda Tuaine
 * 2018 Iosefa Enari
 * 2017 Noma Sio-Faiumu
 * 2016 Kolokesa U. Māhina-Tuai
 * 2015 Lisa Taouma
 * 2014 Ela To'omaga-Kaikilekofe
 * 2013 Sean Mallon
 * 2013 Parris Goebel

Pacific Toa Artist Award
This award commenced in 2019. It acknowledges the "contribution of a Pasifika artist with the lived experience of disability to the standing, and standard, of Pacific arts nationally or globally".


 * 2023 Lavinia Lovo
 * 2022 Ululau Ama
 * 2021 Ronnie Tua
 * 2020 Pelenakeke Brown and Lusi Faiva
 * 2019 Pati Umaga