Creative Inspirations: Inangaro Vakaafi, author of Hunt for Niutupu

As part of Kete's Pasifika Books 2025, guest edited by Victor Rodger, we interviewed four Pasifika writers on their writerly inspirations, their latest reading, and the book they think everyone should read. Read on for Inangaro Vakaafi's answers!

The writers and/or creatives that have inspired my writing are...  When I think about the power of story, it isn't just through books. It lives in the stories passed down by my tūpuna, through song, dance, performance, and oral traditions. My mother encouraged me to write letters to my brother studying overseas. Through that, I developed a love for capturing our everyday experiences. At school, my English teacher, John Rex, expanded my literary world by giving me reading lists to build my knowledge and vocabulary. Professionally, my time as a journalist writing about Niue was deeply shaped by mentors like Shane Tohovaka, Hima Douglas, and Patrick Lino. In many ways, I was documenting Niue’s history through my work. Since moving to Aotearoa, I have found inspiration in Niuean creatives such as Leki Jackson-Bourke, Haanz Fa'avae Jackson, Dianna Fuemana, Vela Manusaute, Shimpal Lelisi, and Cora Allan Wickliffe, as well as academics like Dr. Jess Pasisi, Rennie Douglas, Sam Pilisi, and Ioane Aleke Fa'avae. My desert island book would be... Merio the Mermaid by Joyana Finch.. One of the book’s greatest charms is that it is both written and illustrated by Joyana, told from a Kuki Airani perspective. I could read this story over and over again.

My favourite Pasifika writer/book is... Epeli Hau‘ofa. What I admire most about his work is how he challenges perspectives on our Pacific region and identity, reframing the way we see ourselves as Pacific people. Too often, we are labelled as 'small island developing states', his writing reinforces the idea that we are large ocean states, connected rather than divided by the vast Pacific. The one book I think everyone should read is... A New Dawn by my late friend, Emeli Sione. This powerful final work explores a pivotal moment in history when Pasifika people migrated to Aotearoa. Drawn by the promise of the so-called 'land of milk and honey' many of our people found themselves working factory jobs, only to later be targeted during the dawn raids. Reading this book reminds me that not all stories need to be bright and colourful—there is beauty in writing our truths and finding healing through them. The last book I read was...

I Love My Islands by Moemoana Safa‘ato‘a Schwenke. As a proud child of Niue, the Cook Islands, and the Pacific, the themes within this book deeply resonate with me. I was raised in the islands where we are encouraged to take care of the land and it will in turn take care of us.  I love my islands and my desire to protect them is strong. Reporter and producer, Inangaro Vakaafi is the co-host of Island Time alongside Tofiga Fepulea’i on Radio 531PI. Her children’s book Hunt for Niutupu will be published later this month by Mila’s Books.