Country: New Zealand
Tigilau Ness, born on 19 May 1955, is a Niuean New Zealander renowned both as a political activist and a reggae musician, performing under the name Unity Pacific. As a first-generation Pacific Island New Zealander, Ness became involved in activism early in life. Expelled from Mt Albert Grammar in 1971 for refusing to cut his afro, he co-founded the Polynesian Panthers, a group advocating for Polynesian rights modeled on the Black Panthers. He was also active in opposing apartheid and the controversial 1981 Springbok rugby tour, during which he was arrested and spent nine months in Mount Eden Prison. Ness participated in Māori land protests, including the occupation of Bastion Point, and it was during these periods of activism that he converted to Rastafari. Musically, Ness has been a pivotal figure in New Zealand reggae since the 1970s. He co-founded the reggae group the Twelve Tribes of Israel and formed the band Unity in 1975. Over the years, he also worked with the influential band Herbs and later established the Unity Reggae Band in 1985, although his first album, From Street to Sky, was not released until 2003. His music often reflects his experiences of social injustice and growing up as a Pacific Islander in New Zealand. Ness is also the father of hip hop artist Che Fu and regularly performs with his son’s band, The Krates. In recognition of his contributions to music, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pacific Music Awards in Auckland in 2009. Ness has been the subject of multiple documentaries highlighting both his activism and musical career. From Street to Sky, named after his first album, aired on Māori Television in 2007 and at the New Zealand Film Festival in 2008, exploring his life as a musician and protester. He appeared with Che…
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