Umaga in 2012

Fonotī Pati Peni Umaga QSM is a New Zealand musician known for his compositions and musicianship as a bass guitar player, and significant contributions to the music industry, as well as his advocacy for the Pacific and Disabled communities. He works in the disability services sector.[1]

Umaga received the Queens Service Medal in the 2012 New Year Honours, for services to the Pacific community,[2] and in 2015 he was awarded the Arts Access Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Award for Artistic Achievement.[3][4] He was the first recipient of Creative New Zealand's Arts Pasifika Awards, Pacific Toa Award in 2019, and was also inducted into the Attitude Awards Hall of Fame that same year.[5] When he received the award his thoughts about it were: "For the disabled community to be acknowledged in this way, promoting and advocating for full participation and inclusion in our Pacific community in the broader art sector."[6]

Umaga's parents were part of the 15,000 Samoans who immigrated to New Zealand between the 1950s to1970s, first arriving in Newtown, Wellington, before moving to Wainuiomata in 1964, where housing was affordable. They set up the first Samoan church in the area.[7] Umaga had an accident in 2005 that left him with a disability.[6]

In 2021 Umaga wrote a composition that was presented at the Kia Mau Festival called Le Taua o le Pepeve’a about a special 'kingly fine mat' called Pepeve'a that was gifted to a son by his father that 'launched sibling rivalry and a war over titles and the kingship' in the 16th century.[8] Other music Umaga has created includes a song to address stigma of disability called Rise and Shine featuring high-school student group 'Tone6'.[9]

Umaga is an Inquiry Senior Pasefika Engagement Advisor for the New Zealand Abuse in Care Inquiry Royal Commission that is 'looking into what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in State and faith-based care in New Zealand between the years 1950-99.' As part of this work 'fono' (a Samoan word that relates to meetings or councils) were held to inform the community as well as speaking engagements at organisations such as at Spectrum Care in 2020.[10][11]

Umaga is a trustee on the Pacific Music Awards.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Outstanding Pasifika artists celebrated at the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards 2019". thecoconet.tv. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  2. ↑ "New Year honours list 2012". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  3. ↑ Punch, Pantograph. "Fonoti Pati Umaga". Pantograph Punch. Archived from the original on 24 April 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  4. ↑ "Pati Umaga: sounds of empowerment". Arts Access Advocates. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "Outstanding Pasifika artists to be celebrated". Scoop News. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Samoan songwriter,disability advocate recognised for contribution to the arts". Pacific Media Network. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  7. ↑ "An Immigrant Nation - Searching for Paradise". NZ On Screen. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "Kia Mau Festival 2021 | Te Mauri o Pōhutu". Kia Mau Festival. 28 May 2021. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  9. ↑ "Rise and Shine". Pasefika Proud. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  10. ↑ "Pasefika fono held in Auckland". Abuse in Care - Royal Commission of Inquiry. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "Honoured Pacifica Guests visit Spectrum Care". Spectrum Care. 11 December 2020. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  12. ↑ "Celebrating Pacific Music". Pacific Music Awards. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.

Fonotī Pati Umaga - An Immigrant Nation - Searching for Paradise https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/searching-for-paradise-1996

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