“Hei Tiki” email response

Mauri, my plant family.

This morning, I received an email questioning my branding, expressing concerns that it might diminish the integrity of my mahi through misappropriation. It caught me off guard, but I acknowledge the importance of these kōrero. Conversations around culture, identity, and respect are never easy, but they are necessary, especially when we walk the path of honoring our roots while sharing our passion with others.

I carry my heritage with pride, and every aspect of my mahi is deeply personal, reflecting who I am and where I come from. I believe in open dialogue and learning from each other, and I welcome the opportunity to clarify my intentions and share my perspective.

Below is my response.

Tēnā koe,

Firstly, I want to acknowledge and sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your whakaaro in such a considered and respectful way. It means a lot to receive this kind of kōrero, and I value the opportunity to reflect on and refine how we represent and respect the cultures we engage with.

Being half Kiwi, half Australian, but fully a Papuan bus kanaka, my roots run deep in the Pacific. I was born and raised in Papua New Guinea and spent four years living in Samoa. The Goroka Festival is a reflection of who I am—my cultural upbringing, my tropical vibes, and even my personal tattoos. So, I absolutely hear you on this.

The Westernized “Tiki” aesthetic, commercialized through bars and entertainment, has unfortunately distorted and stripped much of the deep cultural and spiritual significance from what is sacred in Polynesian traditions. I completely understand the concern that its use can misrepresent or diminish the mana it holds. What is considered Tapu deserves the utmost respect.

The last thing I want is for our work—grounded in community, collaboration, and cultural respect—to be overshadowed by unintended harm. Your whakaaro is taken seriously, and I’ll be reflecting on how we can ensure our branding aligns with the values we uphold.

I really appreciate you raising this with such care. Ngā mihi nui for your insight—your perspective is invaluable. Manuia ma fa’afetai tele lava.

Keen to continue this kōrero if you have any further thoughts. Mauri ora.

My Troppo logo is more than just an image—it’s a reflection of my identity, heritage, and deep-rooted connection to the tropics.

At its core, the design carries echoes of the vibrant and powerful imagery of the Goroka Festival in Papua New Guinea, where ancestral traditions, bold masks, and striking body art tell the stories of lineage, pride, and place. The stylized face in the logo mirrors the expressive and dynamic nature of festival masks, evoking the essence of bilas (traditional adornment) and the warrior-like spirit of the bus kanaka—who I am at my core.

The bold lines and symmetry resonate with the markings of my own tattoos—symbols that remind me of who I am, where I’ve been, and the cultures that have shaped me. Just as those markings carry deep meaning, my logo is a visual tribute to my identity, history, and the interwoven influences of the Pacific.

My earrings, a personal connection to my roots, are subtly referenced in the curved details, symbolizing the ties that link me to my Papuan and tropical heritage. They are not just accessories but markers of belonging—like the way nature itself adorns the tropics with beauty and meaning.

Beyond its cultural depth, the logo also embodies my affinity for the tropics and the lush plant life that sustains and inspires me. The flowing design elements echo the natural patterns found in hibiscus, frangipani, coconut palms, and taro leaves—staples of tropical life that provide nourishment, shelter, and beauty. The very name Troppo speaks to that tropical state of mind, where warmth, abundance, and connection to the land define a way of life.

Rather than being a borrowed or foreign representation, this logo stands as an authentic symbol of my journey—a fusion of my Papua New Guinean identity, tropical passion, and the deeply personal elements that ground me in my work. It’s a mark of respect for nature, culture, and community, and a bold statement of who I am: a proud bus kanaka with roots that run as deep as the tropical forests I cherish.