CIRCUIT's 2026 Mana Moana Resident is Mauatua Fa'ara-Reynolds. Mauatua is a Mā'ohi-Norf'k writer and tapa-maker based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. In 2025 they completed their MA in Creative Writing at the IIML, where they received the Letteri Family Prize for Creative Non-Fiction. Their work mobilises customary modes of storytelling to confront colonial violence and generate possibilities for healing and reclamation.
Supported by the Pasifika Arts team at Creative New Zealand, the Mana Moana Residency is a 10-week full-time position at CIRCUIT. The residency supports an emerging Pasifika practitioner to research and develop opportunities for Pasifika artists to work with CIRCUIT. Mauatua will be working towards a series of essays on Pasifika practitioners and a pubic programme. More details to follow.
Thanks to Maila Urale, Simonne Likkio, Erolia Ifopo at CNZ for their support, and Edith Amituanai.