Mua Strickson-Pua Aotearoa born Samoan Chinese ancestoral villages of Malaela Upolu and PapaSataua Savaii. Canton China. Aiga/whanau Purcell, Pua, and Laiman.
Co founder of STREET POETS BLACK 1982 Maori & Pacific Islands street theatre telling our stories. Formerly based in Palmerston North. North island "Polynesian Time" tour of 86.
Pioneer of P.A.T.H. Pasifika Art & Therapy for Healing programme at Tagata Pasifika Resources & Development Trust working with at risk youth, damaged families, and Pacific nations communities. 1995-2005.
Producer of CAFE SPACIFIC venue to Pasifika Hip Hop and Poetry 1996-2002 Karangahape Rd the only Pacific Hip Hop & poetry venue promoting Pacific artists for the community telling our stories. Hosted by Pasifika Poets Collective.
Community Arts Curator Tagata Pasifika Space Karangahape Road 1996-2005.An opportunity for students and family members to tell their personal stories through their individual or group exhibitions. Aiga/whanau exhibitions are welcomed.
Producer of Samoa House Pasifika Hip Hop & Poetry venue 2003-2005
Hosted by Pasifika Poets Collective.
Radio projects:
Koori Radio Sydney fortnightly 10 minute slot 2004-2005
Niu FM Breakfast Show Gig guide fortnightly 2003-2005
Reo Atumotu 1593 Breakfast host, Sports, & Youth programme producer 1994-1998.
Otago FM Student radio Pacific weekly hour show DJ & Producer 1987-1989.
* Have always incorporated poetry & Pasifika Poets Collective for readings and performances.
I am a performance poet, exhibited artist via Lavalava Arts, Story teller, Comedian, Free style rapper/MC, and Community Arts Curator.
KAUPAPA: Telling my Pacific stories via Pasifika Hip Hop, Arts, & Poetry. Empowering, Educating, and Entertaining.
SHOPPING FOR POETRY IN APIA
What
a strange notion
to shop for poetry.
Yet
that's what I did
in Apia for a the whole day.
Looking for inspiration
insight maybe even Samoa.
The approach of angry Samoans
concerned now.
Yet a deep felt love
for our peoples plight.
Moral dilemmas of third world
nation swamped.
Pacific writers
now prophets of doom.
Fore casting the final
sunset in paradise.
Oh sons for the return home.
Why was Eden revisited?
SHE
SHE
works her hands
on the factory floor.
Sweat pours down her body.
Air tight suffocation.
Clock in clock out.
Spasmodic moments of freedom.
Wage packet goal of survival.
There are children
to feed.
Rent
to pay
for a roof.
Electricity
switched on
and off.
Her Church choir
echoes.
Family fono
on Wednesday.
Aunty Lisa's
funeral.
Her nephew's
wedding.
Second cousin Joe
facing Court again.
Ioane wants
a guranteer.
Talosaga
beats his wife.
Drinks
to escape the pain.
Children
come unstuck on glue.
Samoa house project
back home calls.
Hire purchase
on the car rolls around.
Samoa there
New Zealand here
SHE
is caught
in between.
SHE
AUCKLAND
Auckland
your streets
are cold.
Auckland'
multiracial
city of the world.
Beneath
your respectability.
A price
has been paid.
There is
no housing crisis.
Unemployment
is not working.
Black
is not white.
Hungry people
eat out of your
rubbish bins openly.
Supposed sedated
mental health clients
roam your streets
lost and unloved.
A generation
of lost street people
are no longer
invisible.
Elderly beggars
leave their stench
of poverty and injustice.
A price
has been paid.
Auckland
your streets
are cold.
HIKOI 2004
Mokopunas
I marched
with yous
in my heart.
Quietly
contemplating
your futures.
Saddened
you too
will walk.
Through these
painful pathways
of injustice.
MORNING
MOATA'A
Outside the sweet voices of children
playing.
I smell the fragrance of life
from kitchen to the busy road.
Time to explore another day
in Samoa.
TWICKENHAM
A continual hum from that steady stream
of traffic converging on London.
Double glazed windows remind me
its winter time here.
Slowly awakening thinking
why did I watch that movie?
GREY LYNN
Che'den Sofi
softly stirs in his sleep.
Jane Filemu
footsteps quietly advancing.
Papa
its morning
breakfast
wake up?
