Artist Statement

“This has been a journey… and some! Building content for our Early Childhood Education and Primary School kids is paramount and what a blessing to have this opportunity!

A lot of stories have gone with those Matuas (Elders) who have passed on. We hope to continue collating stories for future generations as a resource and as a reference to their family history. Many missed opportunities in the past that we don’t want to repeat. Small steps for the bigger picture, learning through local radio and utilising the many digital platforms with visual content. We are leaving no stone unturned for our vagahau Niue (Niue language) to thrive into the future.

Our team – Lavea Puheke (Cultural Officer, Taoga Niue), Jessie Sionetuato Pavihi (Niue Primary School Teacher) and Glen Jackson (Project manager and producer) – has shared lots of laughter, debating ideas, finding gems and respecting the process. We’ve developed a solid understanding of making media for young audiences. We have deepened connections with our Elders through their sharing of old stories.

We want our target audience to feel the stories, not just hear them, as they join in with songs and actions, and wonder what’s going to happen next in the story. We include lots of sound effects so kids use their imaginations to take them to the places where the stories happen. All this allows our stories to open up and flourish.

For the following eight radio episodes, we have created relatable local characters in situations that reflect life in Niue. The main characters are little kids with older cousins, parents and grandparents. Like a lot of kids, our young characters are curious and adventurous, and love the old stories their grandparents tell to help them with the ups and downs of being a kid – life lessons that draw on our local stories, told through dialogue, music, sound, dance, and song.

Happy listening, happy watching!

RockSteady Entertainment

Play Hubs

Story content was linked to community Play Hubs to support children’s play and learning.

Local Play Hub teams created culturally-responsive learning-through-play programs and Early Childhood Development resources.

Explore the following resources:

Parenting Cards

Play Hub Facilitator Guide

Instructional guidance for Play Hub trainers and facilitators on sessions such as toy-making, games, craft, storytelling, and concepts of play and child development.