About
Pasifika drama series Tala Pasifika grew from workshops aimed at upskilling Pasifika screen talents. The first six teleplays debuted on TV One in 1996 as part of show Tagata Pasifika. Two more screened in off-peak slots in 2000; one of these, Matou Uma, eventually spawned TV series Good Hands - Lima Lelei. Instigated by Stephen Stehlin and Pomau Papali'i, Tala Pasifika was the first drama series to showcase Samoan culture. Don Selwyn and Ruth Kaupua were brought in to produce. Among the supporters of the workshops or the resulting series were NZ On Air, the NZ Film Commission, Creative NZ and Justine Simei-Barton's Pacific Theatre.
