Dianna Fuemana

Dianna Fuemana (born 1973) is a New Zealand writer, director and performer. She writes for theatre and screen. Her solo play Mapaki was the first that brought a New Zealand-born Niue perspective to the professional stage. In 2008 Fuemana won the Pacific Innovation and Excellence Award, at the Creative New Zealand Pasifika Arts Award. Fuemana was one of nine women writer-directors of the 2019 feature film Vai. Dianna Fuemana was born in New Zealand in 1973 and is one of seven children. Her mother is American Samoan and her father Togavale is Niuean. She is a cousin of singer Pauly Fuemana. When she was a child she acted in church plays in her community. She went to Henderson High School in Auckland. During her time there, she attended a short course in performing arts run by Cath Cardiff and Jay Laga'aia. In 2005 she graduated with honours with a Master of Creativity and Performing Arts from Auckland University.Fuemana has three children: a son and daughter from her first marriage, and a daughter with actor Jay Ryan.Fuemana's father wrote the song that opens her play Mapaki. Her father died in 2000 and she dedicated the Auckland season of Mapaki to him.