Mīria George receives Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer’s Residency 2016
Writer, producer and director Mīria George is the first Cook Islands artist to receive the Fulbright-Creative New
Zealand Pacific Writer’s Residency at the University of Hawaii.
Mīria is of Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Kuki Airani (Rarotonga & Atiu) heritage and is the co-director of theatre company Tawata Productions. During her three-month residency, Mīria
will develop a new work, Fire In The Water, Fire In The Sky, which is a performance piece addressing the effects of
colonisation, christianity and climate change in the Pacific.
“This is a uniquely Pasifika journey. It will investigate the outside factors which have had a huge impact on the lives
of Pacific peoples and also search for hope for the future of the Pacific and the world,” says Miria.
In June, Mīria closed a sell-out season of her new play The Vultures which premiered as part of Wellington’s Kia Mau
Festival of theatre and dance. In the year ahead she will also work on the international collaborations Waka, Ciiman,
Vaka and return to Rarotonga to work on the second installment of KIVA: Collection Two, new writing from the Cook
Islands.
Creative New Zealand chief executive Stephen Wainwright says the residency provides a significant opportunity for
Pasifika writers. “We congratulate Mīria on her selection and look forward to her new work adding to her growing body of
achievements.”
Fulbright New Zealand Executive Director Penelope Borland says the Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer’s
Residency is an important partnership award and Fulbright New Zealand encourages applications.
“Fulbright New Zealand has a long history of supporting talented creative professionals and artists. We are delighted to
welcome Mīria to our community of alumni. I hope she has an enjoyable and transformative exchange experience and we look
forward to her work,” Ms Borland says.
The Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer’s Residency is based at the University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus. Alumni
include playwright Victor Rodger, poet Tusiata Avia and filmmakers Sima Urale and Toa Fraser.
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