Koko. Koko Samoa.
In my culinary fantasies, I can walk into any café and ask for a fresh brew of sweet, black koko Samoa. That world is not reality just yet (at least not in New Zealand) but I know connoisseurs of this 'black gold from Samoa' have been talking about it for years, and...
Are you ready to die?
The early 2000s were a difficult time for my family. In the space of 4 years, 6 of my close relatives died. Our first loss was my 46-year-old first cousin. His sudden, cardiac event widowed his wife and left his 4 young-adult children without a dad. My own father was...
The making of a Polynesian art prodigy
In early June this year, the Balmoral Seventh Day Adventist school in Auckland celebrated Pasifika night by hosting an auction of artwork. One young artist’s painting caught our eye and we posted it on the Manaui Facebook page - to overwhelming response. I’m actually...
savour oceania WITH US
We’re exploring the nations of Oceania, especially through our food!
Recent Recipes
Takihi – a recipe for that creamy, sweet and savory Niuean treat
I’ve been told so many times about the deliciousness of the Niuean takihi and that it is a crime that I hadn't tried it already - ekkk! So naturally, I messaged my Niuean faves and asked them if they could demonstrate how to cook Niuean Takihi. In true Pacific people...
That famous pink potato salad from the Cook Islands – recipe includes homemade dressing!
For first-timers, a pink potato salad combined with mixed frozen vegetable can look weird and borderline ewww. But actually, this is one of the most well known salads in the Polynesian community... it's so yummy, you can never get enough of it. What was tricky about...
The art of making candy lei – Tongan style!
How does one create art or a tangible masterpiece out of a pile of lollies and ribbons? It is amazing how resourceful our people are in creating leis using simple things such as lollies and ribbons. Traditional materials were used in the past, such as flowers, twigs,...
10 ways to heal a broken heart
First and foremost, let’s define what a “heartache” is: An emotion so mind blowing and heart-shattering that you just wanna walk into the ocean and keep walking till your lungs cease to work. Are we straight on what a heartache is now? We’re not talking about your 3...
Alaisa fa’apopo – Samoan coconut rice
Lots of Asian countries do a coconut and rice dish, but they don't do it like Samoans do. (As far as I know.) Alaisa fa'apopo literally means rice that's been coconut'ed, which of course means that we've done something very coconut-y to the rice. (I'm cracking myself...
Why I love telling stories with animation
My name is Munro Te Whata and I’m an Illustrator/Animator based in Auckland, New Zealand. I want to explore why I love telling authentic stories about our history, our culture and our people with animation I’m an inner-city kid born and raised Auckland Central so I...
Our Stories
Takihi – a recipe for that creamy, sweet and savory Niuean treat
I’ve been told so many times about the deliciousness of the Niuean takihi and that it is a crime that I hadn't tried it already - ekkk! So naturally, I messaged my Niuean faves and asked them if they could demonstrate how to cook Niuean Takihi. In true Pacific people...
That famous pink potato salad from the Cook Islands – recipe includes homemade dressing!
For first-timers, a pink potato salad combined with mixed frozen vegetable can look weird and borderline ewww. But actually, this is one of the most well known salads in the Polynesian community... it's so yummy, you can never get enough of it. What was tricky about...
The art of making candy lei – Tongan style!
How does one create art or a tangible masterpiece out of a pile of lollies and ribbons? It is amazing how resourceful our people are in creating leis using simple things such as lollies and ribbons. Traditional materials were used in the past, such as flowers, twigs,...
10 ways to heal a broken heart
First and foremost, let’s define what a “heartache” is: An emotion so mind blowing and heart-shattering that you just wanna walk into the ocean and keep walking till your lungs cease to work. Are we straight on what a heartache is now? We’re not talking about your 3...
Alaisa fa’apopo – Samoan coconut rice
Lots of Asian countries do a coconut and rice dish, but they don't do it like Samoans do. (As far as I know.) Alaisa fa'apopo literally means rice that's been coconut'ed, which of course means that we've done something very coconut-y to the rice. (I'm cracking myself...
Why I love telling stories with animation
My name is Munro Te Whata and I’m an Illustrator/Animator based in Auckland, New Zealand. I want to explore why I love telling authentic stories about our history, our culture and our people with animation I’m an inner-city kid born and raised Auckland Central so I...