Sissy That Walk
Over the last 26 years, the Pacific Sisters have used their sisterhood to claim alternative futures, presents and pasts, by reimagining the spaces they inhabit. The worlds they created in warehouses, nightclubs, festivals and art museums was anything but small. Often described as the Pacific version of Andy Warhol’s Factory, this loose collective of Maori and Pacific artists, fashion designers, performers, musicians and jewellery makers has been hugely influential in asserting a Maori and Pacific presence in the country. Founded in 1992 by Suzanne Tamaki (Tuhoe), Niwhai Tupaea (Ngati Katoa) and Selina Forsyth (Samoan), the sisterhood grew to incorporate core members Rosanna Raymond ( NZ Samoan/ European), Ani O’Neill (Cook Islands/Irish), Jaunnie ‘Illohaia (Tongan), Lisa Reihana (Nga Puhi), Henry Taripo (Cook Islands) and Feeonaa Wall (NZ/Samoa/Sweden/Germany).
Their definition of tino rangatiratanga (absolute sovereignty) and self-determination is articulated through a post-colonial notion of sisterhood, one that is inclusive of men. Over the span of their practice, it is estimated that the sisterhood extended to over five hundred members including honorary ‘sisters’ such as Greg Semu, Kerry Brown, the late Karlos
