Tapu Misa is a Samoan-born New Zealand journalist specialising in Pacific Islands affairs.[1] She is considered New Zealand's first Pasifika woman journalist.[2]
Biography
Misa was born in Samoa and raised in Wellington.[3] She studied journalism on a course taught by Gary Wilson at Waiariki Institute of Technology aimed specifically at encouraging Māori and Pacific people into journalism.[4] She and Wilson later worked together to establish the course in Manukau, Auckland.[3] She has written for The New Zealand Herald, magazines More (now Next), North & South and Mana. She has also worked in radio, for National Radio. She was a member of the New Zealand Broadcasting Standards Authority for eight years.[2]
In 2015 Misa and Wilson co-founded e-Tangata, a weekly online magazine which publishes writing by Māori and Pasifika writers. In 2017, Bridget Williams Books published a book of writing from the site.[3]
Publications
- Misa, T., & Wilson, G. (2017). The best of e-Tangata.[5]
Recognition
In 2019, Misa won the New Zealand Women of Influence Award for Diversity.[2]