Pacific Islanders have a recognizable presence on the global stage. Musicians, athletes, filmmakers, writers, artists, politicians, youth activists, theologians, navigators, and many others represent thriving communities across the region and in an expanding diaspora. In smaller countries like Aotearoa New Zealand, they represent over 8 percent of the population and have a recognizable presence in popular culture. In larger countries like Australia and the United States, they are a much smaller group in comparison to the total population (.04 percent and .05 percent respectively) and often not visible outside of those states with strong community representation. Regardless, Pacific Islanders are reshaping many aspects of popular culture.

In areas like film, they are contesting colonial and stereotypical images, taking control of how stories are told, and reshaping business as usual. They are also a recognizable force in other areas of popular culture like sports, challenging racist and sexist ideas about what Islanders can do. Across a range of creative and performance industries, Pacific Islanders represent their communities on a global stage, transform the spaces they occupy, and create new spaces for the future.

This module explores the strides that people from across Oceania have made in popular culture, from film to sports.