The Pacific Arts Alliance

The Pacific Writers Forum in association with School of Language, Arts & Media Invitation to All Staff and Students

Former Fiji resident and Victoria University of Wellington Pacific Studies lecturer, Teresia Teaiwa makes her debut as a solo recording artist with the release of a cd of poetry and sound titled "I Can See Fiji".

The album will be launched in Suva, Fiji on Monday 15 September, 2008, at USP's Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture at 6.00pm. The album's sound design and production is the result of the poet's collaboration with acclaimed Maori poet and singer/songwriter, Hinemoana Baker.-031-6547Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

The CD also features percussion by New Zealand percussionist Des Mallon, and was produced at Wellington's Braeburn Studios, with Robbie Duncan. Teaiwa migrated from Fiji to New Zealand in 2000 and traces her family tree to Banaba (Ocean Island), Kiribati and the USA. She says the twelve tracks on 'I Can See Fiji' explore themes of travel, migration, displacement, and what sometimes feels like an unrequited love for her adopted homeland of Fiji.

"I Can See Fiji", is the culmination of several years of development and creative collaboration, with Baker artfully mixing Teaiwa's spoken word and sound recordings with Mallon's percussive interpretations. The result is a provocative new text that offers listeners a multi-layered and richly textured audio experience.

Here are some early reactions to the cd:

"a mesmerising soundscape"  - Dr. Selina Tusitala Marsh, University of Auckland

"Like listening to a good radio play."  - Lynn Davidson, Whitireia Polytechnic Creative Writing Programme

"Like someone is talking softly into your ear. But this intimacy moves in and out, near and far perfectly." - Sian Torrington, Wellington-based visual artist

"The cellphone bit is hilarious!" - Manoa Teaiwa, Wellington High

School student Dr. Claire Slatter, independent researcher and long time Fiji activist will officially launch the cd on 15 September 2008 at an event sponsored by the Pacific Writing Forum and Oceania Centre for Arts and Culture at the University of the South Pacific.

The launch will also include a live performance of selections from the cd by Teaiwa and Baker. The production of "I Can See Fiji" was largely funded by Creative New Zealand. All artwork and design for the album by Wellington's Mat Hunkin.

For more information on the Fiji launch, contact:
Larry Thomas on  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

After the launch, 'I Can See Fiji' will be available to buy at www.hinemoana.co.nz and selected outlets in Fiji.