Pasifika women

Poetry and food books honoured at NZ Ockham awards

At last night's ceremony in Auckland Tusiata Avia took away the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry for her collection The Savage Coloniser Book, and New Zealand-Samoan chef and food writer Monique Fiso won the illustrated non-fiction awards for Hiakai: Modern Māori Cuisine.

Acclaimed poet, writer and performer Avia told RNZ the news was still sinking in that she's the first Pacific woman to win a major category in the awards.

"That kind of recognition is always good.

Four Pasifika women recognised at Women of Influence Awards

Solomon-Tanoa'i won her award for helping finance projects in criminal justice and family law research.

She was one of four Pasifika women who won awards: Luamanuvao Dame Winne Laban was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, ​choreographer Parris Goebel was honoured with an Arts and Culture Award​, and Aorere College head girl Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i won the Young Leader's Award.​