Pacific (MVPFAFF+)

2024 curated booklist

In 2011 Fakafifine activist Phylesha Brown-Acton coined the acronym MVPFAFF, meaning Mahu, Vakasalewalewa, Palopa, Fa’afafine, Akava’ine, Fakafifine and Fakaleiti/leiti, to recognize identities that are specific to Pacific communities.

These concepts are more, or just as much, about familial, genealogical, social, and cultural selfhood. This is not an exhaustive list of Pacific peoples’ terms. These cultural and gender identities do not often have an equivalent in English language/terminology.

Black Ice Matter

Gina Cole

These unpredictable short stories explore themes of heat and cold, ice and glaciers in the heat of the South Pacific, and take us into unusual lives and situations. A woman is caught between traditional ways and the regime of a military dictatorship; a glaciology researcher falls into a crevasse and confronts the unexpected; two women lose children in freak shooting accidents; a child in a Barbie Doll sweatshop dreams of a different life; school girls struggle with secrets about an addicted janitor; and two women take a deathly trip through a glacier melt stream.

Category: Short Stories, NZ Authors
Representation:
MVPFAFF+, diverse sexualities
Content Warnings: Character Death, violence

Samoan Queer Lives

Dan Taulapapa, Yuki Kihara

Samoan Queer Lives delves into the unique lives of Samoan people who are ‘fa`afafine’ – broadly understood in the Western interpretation as persons who are of transgender, intersexed and third sex, or gay, lesbian and bisexual origin.

This book, the first of its kind, is edited and written by fa`afafine. Here fa`afafine share their stories in their own words.

Category: Non-Fiction
Representation:
Diverse sexualities, diverse genders, BIPOC, MVPFAFF+
Content Warnings: Unknown

Brown Girls in Red Lipstick

Courtney Sina Meredith

Brown Girls in Bright Red Lipstick is a collection of poetry by Courtney Sina Meredith. Meredith has established a local and international reputation as a performer, poet, musician and playwright. Her work is an on-going discussion of contemporary urban life with an underlying Pacific politique and an educated, politically aware, international voice. Courtney Sina Meredith is a fulltime Arts Advisor for Auckland Council where she develops programmes for young artists, diverse communities and community artists. She is of Samoan, Mangaian and Irish descent.

Category: NZ Authors, Poetry
Representation:
Diverse sexualities, MVPFAFF+
Content Warnings: Sexual activity

I am a Rainbow

Mark Kanemura

A professional dancer, LGBTQIA+ advocate, and social media star shares this inspiring picture book based on his childhood in Hawaii and encourages readers to find safe spaces that allow them to shine bright. 

Mark loves putting on shows, dressing up, and dancing! But what makes him happy at home gets him teased at school. To remind Mark that his unique light makes the world a brighter place, his parents surprise him with a beautiful, flowing cape. Wearing it, he feels invincible and free to shine all over Honolulu! It even gives him the courage to befriend some kids who are just as colorful as he is. When the cape goes missing, Mark loses his new confidence. How will he ever shine again?

Mark’s relatable, real-life inspired story paired with Richard Merritt’s bright and energetic illustrations is a celebration of self-acceptance.

Category: Children, Children’s Picture Book
Representation:
MVPFAFF+
Content Warnings: No warnings apply

Ho’onani: Hula Warrior

Heather Gale

Category: Children, Children’s Picture Book
Representation:
MVPFAFF+
Content Warnings: No warnings apply

Ask the Brindled: Poems

No‘u Revilla

Category: Poetry
Representation:
MVPFAFF+
Content Warnings: racism, transphobia, sexual violence, sexual activity, substance use/abuse

Na Viro

Gina Cole

Category: Science Fiction, NZ Authors
Representation:
MVPFAFF+, diverse gender identities, diverse sexualities
Content Warnings: Unknown

Kapaemahu

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer & Joe Wilson

Category: Children, Children’s Picture Book
Representation:
MVPFAFF+, diverse gender identities
Content Warnings: No content warnings apply

Tail of the Taniwha: A Collection of Short Stories

Courtney Sina Meredith

Category: Adult, Short Stories, NZ Authors
Representation:
MVPFAFF+, bisexual
Content Warnings: Unknown

Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls:
A Memoir 

T Kira Madden

Category: Adult, Autobiography
Representation:
MVPFAFF+, lesbian

Content Warnings: Sexual activity, sexual violence, substance use/abuse, racism, homophobia bullying, abuse, suicide, disordered eating/eating disorder