Tusiata Avia

Avia was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand.[1] Her father is Samoan and her mother is Palangi (New Zealand European).[2] Avia graduated from the University of Canterbury and in 2002 received an MA in Creative Writing from the International Institute of Modern Letters.[1][3]

Avia's poetry explores Pasifika and cross-cultural themes, as well as the borders between traditional and contemporary life, and between place and the self.

Avia has toured both nationally and internationally performing her solo show Wild Dogs Under My Skirt which premiered at the 2002 Dunedin Fringe Festival.[4] She is a creative writing lecturer at the Manukau Institute of Technology.[5]

Wild Dogs Under My Skirt was presented by Auckland Arts Festival and Silo Theatre for Auckland Arts Festival in 2019 with an ensemble cast rather than as a solo.[6] It went on to tour New Zealand receiving critical acclaim including winning Best Director, Best Production and Best Lighting Design at the Wellington Theatre Awards.[7][8] A presentation at the Soho Playhouse in New York, USA followed in 2020 with the following credits: Directed by Anapela Polata’ivao, Cast – Joanna Mika-Toloa, Petmal Petelo, Ilasiaane Green, Stacey Leilua, Vaimaila Carolyn Baker, Anapela Polata’ivao, Musician – Leki Jackson Bourke, Choreography and Stage Manager: Mario Faumui, Set Design: Jane Hakaraia with artwork motifs by Tyler Vaeau.[9][10] Cast member Stacey Leilua said in an interview,

“I love the fact that we are bringing Tusiata’s very unique voice to the New York stage. Being able to connect with our ensemble, and with new audiences in a feminist sense is incredibly empowering. I love hearing from women after the show who are so moved by the work, and really understand the deep value of it.”[11]

In 2005, Avia was awarded the Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer's Residency at the University of Hawai‘i[16][3] and was the artist-in-residence at the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies at the University of Canterbury.[17]

In 2006 she won the Emerging Pacific Artist award at the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards.[18] and was shortlisted for the Prize in Modern Letters in 2006.[19]

Avia was the 2010 Ursula Bethell writer in residence at the University of Canterbury.[20]

In 2013, Avia received the Janet Frame Literary Trust Award.[21]

Avia's poetry collection, Fale Aiutu – Spirit House, was shortlisted for the 2017 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.[22]

In the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours, Avia was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to poetry and the arts.[23]

• Wild Dogs Under My Skirt – poem