Our Talent
The community of The Pacific Food, Wine & Music Festival are a diverse and passionate ensemble dedicated to great food, fresh ingredients, amazing wines, beers and cocktails, and of course, Pacific Music. Tip your hats to the chefs, farmers, beverage professionals, artists and experts who share their distinct personalities to inspire he Pacific Food, Wine & Music Festival
Food & Wine






















Music

VOU is an explosive and vibrant Pacific experience that transports you to our island paradise rich in ancient stories, tradition and culture. Through the medium of live music and dance, VOU (meaning new in Fijian), is the blending of old and new, traditional and contemporary. VOU was founded in 2007 primarily as a contemporary pacific dance company, since its inception VOU has spread it creative wings and branched out into the fields of Music, Fashion and Film


Stan Walker is a New Zealand recording artist, actor and television personality. In 2009, Walker was the winner of the seventh and last season of Australian Idol. He subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. In December 2009, Walker released his debut studio album, Introducing Stan Walker, which included the hit single, "Black Box". During his career, Walker has won five New Zealand Music Awards and has received five ARIA Music Award nominations.

Sole Mio (stylised as SOL3 MIO) is a New Zealand musical trio consisting of brothers Pene Pati and Amitai Pati and their cousin Moses Mackay. Of Samoan descent and classically trained, the Pati brothers are operatic tenors and Mackay is a baritone.


Vaniah Toloa was born in Fakaofo Tokelau and raised in Apia, Samoa. In 2013 he was won the first placing for the Best Pacific Language album at the New Zealand Music Awards.

Pauline Curuenavuli, better known simply as Paulini, is a Fijian Australian R&B and pop singer, songwriter and actress, who rose to prominence as a contestant on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003. She subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony BMG until 2009, when she signed with Independent record label Albert Music.

Ardijah formed in 1979 and spent the early part of the Eighties playing the Auckland Pub and Club scenehoning their skills as a cover band. They released their first single in 1986, “Give Me Your Number” which was followed in 1987 with “Your Love Is Blind”. This was Ardijah's introduction into the Music Industry where in New Zealand, their popularity was well received. Ardijah call their unique style "Poly-Fonk"

Drumming the traditional beats of the Pacific is considered a skill that takes many years to master. So for four siblings - aged between 6 and 12 - to skilfully tap out the complicated rhythms of Rarotonga is nothing short of amazing.

Black Rose is a Fijian music band, currently signed by the New-Caledonian music label "Mangrove Productions".

Matua Sablan is the son of legendary Chamorro singer Johnny Sablan. The 23-year-old Asan resident released his debut album "Matua," in 2014.

Jake Shimabukuro (born November 3, 1976 in Honolulu, Hawaii) is a ukulele virtuoso and composer known for his fast and complex finger work. His music combines elements of jazz, blues, funk, rock, bluegrass, classical, folk, and flamenco.

Inoke Kalounisiga, known professionally as Knox, is a standout in Fiji's amazing breed of talented young musicians.

Tara-Atua Kauvai hails from Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. She began singing at her local church at eleven years of age. From there she started to enter local talent quests held annually on the island. At the age of fourteen, Tara entered a composer's competition, which was classed as a more senior level competition to that of the talent quests.

New Zealand based, Tongan artist, Melenau Lino started off as a gospel singer at church and enjoys a mix of island music.

Common Kings’ style and music is a collection of inspirations orchestrated into an array of head rocking beats, feel good vibes, and emotional fever. Their crazy, fun-loving attitude compliments Common Kings’ live sound, producing phenomenal pop hits with rock, reggae, and R&B influences. These influences originate from each band members love for various genres, and widespread knowledge of music

Billy TK (Billy Te Kahika) is a Māori guitarist, born in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Billy TK's began playing guitar at an early age, and was surrounded by talented young musicians during his family's frequent visits to Ratana Pā, who helped fulfill his lust for improving his skills on his instrument.

Makare was formed in 2010, by four passionate musicians from Lautoka and Nadi, Fiji Islands. Their debut album shares the love they have for classic forgotten Fijian songs, with the aim of bringing them back to life.

Aaradhna Jayantilal Patel (born December 1983), better known by her stage name Aaradhna, is a New Zealand R&B/pop recording artist signed under the music label Dawn Raid Entertainment. She made her musical debut in 2004 featuring on the single "Getting Stronger" with the group Adeaze which peaked at number one on the official New Zealand Singles Chart. Aaradhna is a New Zealander of Samoan and Indian descent.

Hausboi is a group playing pacific style reggae. They're from Lae in Morobe province, Papua-New Guinea.

Te Vaka has been described as one of the most talented and original World music acts to appear on the international scene for years. With a vibrant blend of traditional rhythms, indigenous instruments, captivating vocals and globally influenced contemporary sounds - this music is a fusion of styles that is both fresh and original.

Members: TK- Lead keys, Back-up vocalist, Producer Tino: Bass Guitar/Producer Sam Bam: Drums Will: Lead Vocalist Princess: Lead Vocalist Genre: Roots Reggae, Island Reggae, Cultural, RnB, Oldies, etc.

Kura Happ and Maurice Newport (Mo) are Trigger Fish a Cook Islands duo that has performedextensively in Rarotonga. Both are accomplished musicians with over 30 years of experience on the International music circuit. Kura has toured France, Italy, Canada, and England and Mo is regularly on tour in New Zealand and Australia as the drummer with the Iconic New Zealand country band – The Warratahs.

Machel Montano is a Trinidadian soca singer, record producer and songwriter. He is the front-man of the soca band The HD Family, and is noted for his high energy, fast-paced, and often unpredictable on-stage performances.