These 11 Polynesian Content Creators Are Brilliant — And Here's Why You'll Only Find Them On Social Media

Find me someone as wholesome and funny as Toks Fale, I'll wait.

"We are the original storytellers — and we can make it here as well."

Steve Granitz / WireImage

This is what New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi famously declared as he won his first Oscar in 2020 for his movie Jojo Rabbit. It was in reference to his Māori heritage but also for all Indigenous creatives across the globe. 

It took Waititi nearly 30 years to reach these Hollywood heights, journeying through an industry controlled mainly by an establishment who are disconnected from a growing Polynesian audience, which has — whether by accident or design — deterred a lot of brown creatives from the industry.

In fact, in our own backyard, if you asked most brown filmmakers from Aotearoa if funding bodies truly support them, the answer would likely be no.

That's despite seven out of New Zealand’s 10 highest grossing films either being directed by Polynesians or telling Polynesian stories. 

Enter: social media.

Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have given Polynesians a direct route to not only practise their craft, but reach their audience quicker than ever before. 

Creatives are building their own opportunities through social media — without the cumbersome guidance of yesteryear's screen practitioners.

Creators like Regan Roell leveraging his online following into a career on mainstream radio, to Māori Facebook star Nix Adams turning her digital skits into prime-time television.

The screen work of legends like Merata Mita, Sima Urale, Oscar Kightley and Waititi cannot be disregarded, but the governing structures in Pacific strongholds like Australia and New Zealand still remain the same. Waititi's words “We are the original storytellers” ring true — we just needed to find original ways to tell our stories. Social media has become that place.

Here are 11 Polynesian content creators you should be following on social media:

1. Toks Fale (Tongan)

@toksfale / Via instagram.com

In the world of professional wrestling Toks Fale is one of the biggest heels (bad guys). But on his TikTok channel, where he has almost a million followers, Fale promotes mental health checks, positive affirmations and hilarious gags.

Last year he was commissioned by TikTok to create his own action-comedy webseries called The Tongan Rogue General. 

Follow Toks Fale on TikTok here. 

2. Regan Roell/Just The Norms (Niue/Tokelauan)

@robinhood.regz

GOING FOR A CRUISE BE LIKE 🙈😂

♬ original sound - Robinhood Regz

Roell was just working a normal 9-to-5 support his young family when his Facebook sketches with friends started gaining thousands of followers. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that Roell decided to go full-time funny on social media — and he was quickly rewarded with his own breakfast radio show. Roell also has an upcoming NZ On Air funded comedy web series called 9-to-5ers.
Follow Regan Roell on TikTok here.

3. Nix Adams (Māori)

@cwknix / Via instagram.com

Former drug addict, sex worker and convict — Adams has been through it all and come out on top. With over a million followers, she’s reformed and turned tragedy into digital triumph. Her unfiltered comedic response to life online has seen her hosting Terei Tonight and she currently has a sitcom in development. She’s as real as it gets!

Follow Nix Adams on TikTok here.

4. Sapphire (Samoan)

@kingsapphire

"yOu dOn'T LoOk LiKe ThAt" 😀

♬ original sound - Tik Toker

Former The Voice contestant Sapphire not only has an incredible singing ability, but she’s a phenomenal cartoonist. When she’s not drawing amazing art, she fuses all her super creative talents for her million followers on TikTok. We should all be jealous of her talents! 

Follow Sapphire on TikTok here.

5. Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck (Samoan)

Tuivasa-Sheck left a promising career in the NRL to run-it-straight at his social media channels. He’s amassed millions of views with his sketches, experimental films and his special effects-heavy dance challenges. The TV industry has long been chasing but the super creative uso is just too damn quick!

Follow Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck on Instagram here. 

6. Drew Afualo (Samoan)

@drewafualo / Via instagram.com

Afualo is the queen of anti-misogyny, championing women's rights with her crackup reaction videos to the world’s most toxic men. She’s Captain Call-out, and her viral vids have elevated her into the podcasting space — "The Comment Section with Drew Afualo" — as well as Hollywood’s red-carpet.

Follow Drew Afualo on TikTok here.

7. Havea Matangi (Tongan)

@havea_676

Same same #havea676

♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Proud family man, father and Tongan comedian — Matangi knows how to make even the funniest Polynesian influencers laugh. His family friendly platform showcases life as an island dad navigating the TikTok world. A prime example of how families can have fun together on social media. 
Follow Havea Matangi on TikTok here.

8. Bubbah Olo (Samoan)

Johnson & Laird

Olo is a proud South Aucklander who is an up and coming standup comedy star. While she’s made massive strides on stage, her career on screen is also blossoming. Having been featured on Duckrockers (TVNZ) and Sis (Comedy Central), she’s currently filming the second season of her Instagram web series I Got You.

Watch the first season of Bubbah Olo's webseries I Got You on Instagram here.

9. Torrell Tafa (Samoan)

Torrell Tafa / Via facebook.com

Tafa and his crew The Cougar Boys dominated the Polynesian digital landscape in the early 2010s. Their comedy gags, pranks and street interviews set Facebook and YouTube alight. Tafa continues his creative journey around the globe as a travel vlogger while still making hilarious viral vids. 

Follow Torrel Tafa on TikTok here.

10. Jimi Jackson (Māori)

Jimi Jackson / Via facebook.com

This no-filter-Facebook superstar first vent viral in 2013, leading to his very first lead role in the movie Alien Abduction. Jimi’s unapologetic style has sometimes landed him in trouble, but as his legions of followers will attest – it's Aotearoa Kiwi satire at its best. 

Follow Jimi Jackson on Facebook here.

11. And finally, Sam Ratumaitavuki, also known as Fortafy (Fijian)

@samratumaitavuki / Via instagram.com

Former rapper turned digital entrepreneur, Ratumaitavuki has been ahead of the game for a decade. Sam's gaming app Colour Switch has over 200 million downloads and he continues to expand into new technologies and social media spaces.

Follow Sam Ratumaitavuki on Instagram here.

Danny Aumua is a Samoan creative from Tāmaki Makaurau in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

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