Tongan musician and academic Helen Pahulu has received the Fatu Feu’u Pacific Arts Prize at the University of Auckland in recognition of her achievements in music, research and Pacific arts.
Pahulu, a specialist jazz vocal tutor and recent Master of Music graduate, received the award in October. Her research explores grief, memory and cultural identity through Tongan sound vessels and African American musical traditions.
Born and raised in Māngere, South Auckland, Pahulu traces her ancestry to the Tongan villages of Folaha, Mango, Nomuka and Kanokupolu.
She credits her family, faith and church community with nurturing her musical interests from an early age.
“Looking back, I realise that my musical education began long before I entered a formal classroom,” she said.
“It began at home, surrounded by family, faith and community. Music has never been something separate from everyday life; it is simply part of who we are.”
Her musical journey began with singing during family prayers and learning the euphonium through free brass lessons provided by her uncle, Toni Lea.
She later participated in jazz, choir, kapa haka and orchestral performances while attending Sancta Maria College.
Her interest in jazz was partly inspired by the big-band music featured in the animated film The Incredibles.
Although she initially planned to study law, a performance by the University of Auckland jazz ensemble Big Fish prompted her to pursue a music degree.
She completed a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Jazz Performance before undertaking her master’s research.
Pahulu said receiving the prize after a demanding period of teaching and postgraduate study renewed her motivation to pursue creative projects.
“I was so burnt out by that point of the year,” she said. “But then I received the award and I was like, wow, this is amazing. I feel like I can do everything at once now.”
She also emphasised the importance of Māori and Pacific representation in academic and artistic institutions.
“For me, ‘smashing the brown ceiling’ is not simply about being present in spaces where Māori and Pacific people have historically been underrepresented,” she said.
“It is also about creating opportunities for our perspectives, experiences and knowledge to be recognised and valued.”
Pahulu hopes her achievements will encourage younger Pacific generations to pursue careers in performance, composition, education and research.
She is now focused on composing contemporary Tongan music and exploring opportunities for doctoral study overseas, with the longer-term aim of advancing international understanding of Pacific and Indigenous musical knowledge.
