Ōtara 4.0 – Māori and Pasifika Creative Tech Speaker Series

Ōtara 4.0 is a series of exciting and innovative Talanoa sessions allocated over five consecutive Wednesday evenings in May and June 2022. Each guest from the creative technologies sector will share their career stories and provide insights into their chosen career path. In addition to having a background in creative technologies, all speakers will be of Māori or Pacific heritage, and in most cases, have a personal link to South Auckland.

The after-school sessions will be held at the rear of the Hillary House Leadership Centre, the iconic family home of NZ mountaineer, explorer and innovator Sir Edmund Hillary. The relaxed and casual sessions will be hosted by two young local MCs and digital producers, both of whom are born and bred in Otara; TJ Buford and Jesse Gibson.

Media Design School and the Ministry of Education are primary sponsors of Ōtara 4.0, which was initiated by Pasifika artists/creatives Iokapeta Magele-Suamasi, Ali Cowley and Andrew Tui, with South Auckland youth at the heart of this collaboration!

May 18 – Animation & Visual Effects

Guest Speakers:

• Ali Cowley (Samoa), MDS
• Evo Leota-Tupou (Samoa/Tonga), Pacific Kids Learning
• Kennedy Kioa Toi Faimanifo (Samoa/Māori), Manatoa Productions

May 25 – Gaming

• Amber Taylor (Māori), Ara Journeys
• Ray Cocker (Samoa), GameTan

Wed 1 June – Media Design (Graphic Design/UX/UI)

• Hulu Tuinukuafe (Tonga), The Digital Arts Network
• David Parkinson, TBWA
• Anaua Tuihalagingie (Tonga), The Digital Arts Network

Wed 8 June – Digital Art/Esports/Wrestling

• Michel Mulipola (Samoa), Bloody Samoan

Wed 15 June – AI / VR Production

• Nanai Jr (Samoa), Soul Machines
• Thomas Greentree
• Ali Cowley (Samoa), MDS