Inangaro Vakaafi

Inangaro Vakaafi (1983 –), of Niuean and Kuki Airani heritage, is a longtime journalist, broadcaster, and storyteller. She was born in Niue and spent almost her entire early life there, not including a brief relocation to Aotearoa as a child. She attended the University of the South Pacific in Niue for a degree in Law and Management in 2000 and later achieved extramural education in Communications and Broadcast Journalism from Massey University and a Certificate in Teacher Aiding from Open Polytechnic NZ in 2014.

Inangaro worked as a reporter and radio manager for the Broadcasting Corporation of Niue for over ten years, and between 2006-2009 worked with the Niuean Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In 2018, she returned to Aotearoa, taking up residence in Hamilton before relocating to Wellington in 2019. Since then, she has worked as a radio producer for Pacific Media Network.

Inangaro remains deeply involved with Niue culture and community, and does additional work as a translator, interpreter, and Niuean tutor for the Centre of Pacific Languages.

She credits her mother for encouraging her to read and write extensively growing up. Her mother said storytelling is a part of everyday life, and so it is natural that the Pacific culture and community is filled with storytellers.

Inangaro became interested in writing and publishing stories featuring her own cultural heritage of Niue and Cook Islands through her language advocacy, as the languages of these islands are considered endangered. Her debut picture book, Hunt for Niu Tupu (illustrated by Maka Makatoa), was published by Mila’s Books in 2025 through its Tusitala Mentoring Programme for first-time Pasifika writers. It won the Storylines Notable Te Reo Māori Book Award in 2025.

Hunt for Niu Tupu follows Ana and her grandfather, Papa Motu, as they find adventure in their Niuean backyard by examining and learning about niu (coconuts). Inangaro was inspired by the adventures and lessons she found in her childhood home in Niue, and reflected on the lessons, wisdom, stories, and songs passed down by her tūpuna and community members. Hunt for Niu Tupu celebrates curiosity, the sharing of cultural knowledge and the joy of discovery. It aims to connect young readers with the natural world and their Pacific heritage.

Inangaro has worked closely with Dahlia Malaeulu, providing vagahua Niue translations for Foaki e Moka (Moka Shares, 2023), Kitia e Mele (Mele Spies, 2023) and Ko e Pokomohe ha Tule (Tule’s Room, 2023). As part of the My Pasifika series, all three were published through Mila’s Books.

Inangaro is a longtime advocate for Niuean and other Pasifika interests and has always been deeply involved in her community, culture, and arts. While living in Niue, she volunteered for groups like the Niue Youth Council, Niue Island Organic Farmers Association, Niue Women’s Rugby, Mutalau Village Council, and more. In New Zealand, she continues to embrace her cultural heritage, sharing the arts and stories of her culture and educating on Niuean traditions, values, and stories. As a language advocate, she works in spaces of Pacific language revitalisation and retention through her work as a vagahua Niue tutor for the Centre for Pacific Languages, and as an interpreter, translator, and cultural advisor. In addition, she helps inspire future storytellers through stories, workshops, and lectures delivered during visits to school as part of Read NZ TPM’s Writers in Schools programme or festivals such as the 2026 Auckland Writers Festival.