Moana is an artist who is cultivating her artistic voice while raising our future generation. Moana uses her practice to explore the ways we are navigating the impact of colonization, sparking korero about our collective future. Moana’s practice demands us to surrender judgement, instead seeking a future where individuality shines”. In her film work she is challenging how we see and relate to people of colour on our screens in New Zealand. Springboard will be an opportunity for Moana to focus on developing her work, while also supporting her whānau.

Moana will be mentored by Niki Caro MNZM

Director Niki Caro, is one of the most successful filmmakers to emerge from New Zealand. Her second feature film, Whale Rider, won twenty-seven international awards, including audience awards at prestigious international film festivals including Toronto, Sundance, Rotterdam, San Francisco, Seattle and Maui. It won an Academy Award nomination for Keisha Castle-Hughes, then the youngest person ever to be nominated in the Best Actress category.

We check-in with Moana to see how the award has impacted her life one-year down the track.