Lotu Festival 2026: Climate and Culture

The inaugural Lotu Festival brought 300+ people to St. Stephen’s Uniting Church on 25 Jan 2026, to celebrate minoritized cultures and call for climate justice. Lotu Festival 2026 was facilitated by Faa‘imata Havea Hiliau, Vinnie Ravetali, and Milise ‘Ofa Foi‘akau.

The Lotu Festival followed the format of a traditional religious event in Pasifika known (in Tonga) as pō lotu – which is where villages and communities come together to receive teachings (instructions, speeches) and respond with songs.

Lotu

The term Lotu refers to communal events at which songs and strategies are shared, laments and celebrations are welcomed, dreaming and guardianship are fostered. In this spirit, the inaugural Lotu festival called for climate justice and celebrate minoritized cultures.

Climate justice requires collaboration, seeking respect and equity in terms of access and privileges, and calling out profiteering projects that undermine the well-being of Earth – the distressed home for human- and ALL-kinds.

Minoritized cultures are those whose values, wisdoms, and gifts are appropriated for the entertainment of powers that be, and for the profits of (foreign and local) masters whose houses are built upon the shoulders of – and without the consent and blessing of – minoritized folx.

Speeches

Four Pasifika leaders spoke at this inaugural event: Rosaline Parker (of Samoan heritage), Jioji Ravulo (of Fijian heritage), Tau‘alofa Anga‘aelangi and Salesi Faupula (both of Tonga heritage, with Fijian and Samoan links).

The speakers addressed a colorful range of topics: Tribute to Indigenous wisdom and cultures, Climate action and climate justice, Community solidarity, Young Pasifika wisdom and leadership, Gender equality and inclusiveness, Traditional customs, Significance and depth of cultural artifacts, Messiness of identity, and much more.

Choirs

Across Pasifika, a speech is expected to be followed with a song (in Māori, a waiata). For that purpose, youth choirs were invited to respond with gusto, energies, and commitments.

And in Pasifika fashion – four choirs were in the program, but seven showed up at the festival! And they all had a turn to show our appreciation to the speakers.

The youth choirs came from Fiji Parish, Tonga Parish, Samoan Methodist Church, Auburn Parish, Menai-Illawara Parish, Strathfield Homebush Uniting, and Vahefonua SUTT.

One of the highlights for me was when Hau’alofa’ia joined (bombed!) the performance by the Menai-Illawara youth. That is the spirit of lotu at work – there is space for everyone, including those with dummies!

Looking ahead

Lotu Festival 2027 will be held at St. Stephen’s again, on Jan 24, 2027. Mark your diaries and look out for announcements and registrations.

Stay in Touch

In the meantime, you may stay in touch with the Lotu Festival team by scanning this QR code: