Tagata Moana Trust

Tagata Moana Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Pacific peoples living in Aotearoa. We promote, design and deliver events and programmes which strengthen the diverse cultural identities of our Pacific peoples. Enhancing the health, wellbeing and social outcomes for our Pacific communities.

Our events and programmes utilise Pacific arts, language and culture to drive STEAM education. To develop and improve vocational skills and opportunities for Pasifika people.

We believe that through the amplification of Pacific arts, languages and culture, Pacific peoples of all ages can thrive and find meaningful opportunities in STEAM.

Pacific peoples make up less than 5% of those employed in STEAM industries, throughout Aotearoa. However, jobs in STEAM are the fastest growing and most sustainable jobs of the future, with the highest incomes.

STEAM is in Pasifika peoples DNA, it is not a foreign concept. Pasifika ancestors built glorious Vaka that sailed by the wind and navigated by the stars across the worlds largest ocean. They created complex irrigation systems that reached the highest of mountains and constructed intricate structures from nothing but coconut fibre and wood. This kind of resilience, ingenuity and agility doesn’t just go away. Pasifika peoples are STEAM and STEAM industries need their creativity.

Tagata Moana Trust is dedicated to connecting Pacific peoples back to their past, to see the potential in their future.