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The Opetaia Family, Jan 2001

Photo Album

Name: Opetaia Tavita Foa’i

Where were you born?

• Alamagoto, Samoa

Can you tell us a little about yourself? (where you come from, schooling)

• “I was educated at Alamagoto Primary School then I moved to New Zealand and completed Primary School in Grey Lynn, Auckland”.”I attended Intermediate in Pasadena then High School in Kelston Boys in Auckland”.

When did you start playing and how did this playing come about?

• “I started with the ukulele and guitar in Alamagoto playing the siva and Tokelau and Tuvalu fatele”.

What does Te Vaka mean?

• “The Canoe”

Was it always known as Te Vaka or was this a name you created when you got into the international scene?

• “Yes, it was always known as Te Vaka”. “One of the first songs I wrote was titled ‘Te Vaka’ this represented our ancestors voyage so it was a natural choice”.

Can you give us a little history of the group (when you started, where, etc…)?

• “Te Vaka started in 1995 after writing of material for the first Te Vaka album”.

List of CD’s/recordings you have done?

• ‘Te Vaka and ‘Ki Mua’

What’s the future for Te Vaka?

• “The sky is the limit or is it?”.