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Story: Samoans

‘Pari‘aka’ by Lily Laita

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‘Pari‘aka’ by Lily Laita

The Samoan-Māori artist Lily Laita does not apply Pacific motifs in an explicit way, but uses strong painterly gestures. By using words – Māori, Samoan and English – she evokes historical connections across the Pacific.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: B.038974

by Lily Aitui Laita

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Lupematasila Melani Anae, Samoans – Contributions to New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/1636/pariaka-by-lily-laita (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Lupematasila Melani Anae, published 4 March 2009, reviewed and revised 7 September 2022 with assistance from Lupematasila Melani Anae.