advanced search login for better results

Wan Solwara Wan Solwara

Talofa lava and warm Pasifika greetings from Wan Solwara. Va’aomanū Pasifika—the Pasifika collection supports the research of Pacific and Samoan Studies.

Facilities

  • All welcome in this green zone, a collaborative study space.
  • 20 computers
  • Va'aoamanū Pasifika - the Pacific Library Collection
  • Te Papa display
  • Rest area with comfortable cushions
  • Study tables
  • Artwork

Va'aomanū Pasifika Library Collection

Kelburn Library's Pasifika Collection, Va'aomanū Pasifika, consists of books selected for their relevance to the teaching and research of  Pacific Studies and Samoan Studies with basic reference works and samples of material from other disciplines.

The Library has curated a Pasifika authors digital collection on our Library website. This aims to acknowledge, celebrate and inspire Pasifika research and in turn further diversify our Library collection. Victoria University of Wellington became the first New Zealand university to introduce a full academic major in Pacific Studies in an undergraduate degree and to appoint an Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika), Associate Professor Hon. Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban. Tapuaka - Heritage and Archives are compiling a Recollect archive - Tangata o le Moana, the history of Pasifika community at Te Herenga Waka.

Books in Wan Solwara have a special library label designed by Emma Gardiner. It is the winning entry from a competition to design a label in harmony with the goals of the collection.

"Wan Solwara" means "one ocean" in the Papua New Guinean Pidgin Language and reflects the strong connections between all Pacific people within Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

Pasifika events and drop-ins

Wan Solwara is a vibrant, lively Pasifika space on Level 2, north end of Kelburn Library.  It hosts diverse language events throughout the year set by the Ministry of Pasifika Peoples. These events and other cultural events express the identity, culture and relationships with VUWSA Pasifika clubs and the Pasifika community.

Throughout the year, Pasifika Pillars host drop-in sessions in Wan Solwara. These drop-ins are staff-supported with students receiving help from Pacific Student Success team, Future students, Student Learning, Mauri Ora and more. Pasifika students can get help with assignment writing, referencing and citing, and get sorted with enrolment, courses and other issues.

Wan Solwara also hosts research Library sessions for Manaaki Students, Pasifika Pathways, Samoan Studies and Pacific Studies students.

Artwork

Wan Solwara designs: Wan Solwara's gateway and the glasswork was designed by Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi, a renowned artist. The design is centred around 3 siapo (square floral patterns) that has come to represent the coming together of Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. The gateway is held up by two pillars considered as two canoes that moor visitors to knowledge and learning.
Framed tapa: This piece was given to Victoria University of Wellington on August 16, 2012 from the National University of Samoa to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Samoa's Independence and the Treaty of Friendship with New Zealand.
Te Papa display: The Library collaborates with Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa. Every three months, they display measina (treasures) from their back of house Pasifika Collection.
Ie toga (fine mats): These pieces are woven from lauhala (leaves of the hala tree) were gifted to the Library from Dr Sadat Muaiava and Eseta Malua Fa'afia.
Tapa and tivaevae: Along the Hub entrance to Wan Solwara, we also have two Library-owned tapa and a large red tivaevae. We also have on loan a tapa from the late Associate Professor, Dr Teresia Teaiwa, the former Head of Va'aomanū Pasifika. A poster, hanging near the main entrance to Wan Solwara, speaks of Teaiwa's legacy and the Teresia Teaiwa Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Flags of the Pacific: Wan Solwara displays 19 flags from countries in the Pacific (in order from left): Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Niue, Nauru, Palau, Wallis and Futuna, Solomon Islands, Micronesia, American Samoa, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Framed photo: Adams Art Gallery supply the Library with different artwork. In Wan Solwara is a framed rugby player surrounded by his trophies. This piece came from an exhibition in 2019 by Edith Amituanai, and is affectionately referred to 'Uncle Sione'.
Coffee table designs: The decal with a tatau (tattoo) pattern on the coffee table in Wan Solwara's lounge replicates what is on the glass entrance way, and links to ideas around identity, status, service and responsibility in Pasifika culture.