Fonotī Pati Peni Umaga QSM is a New Zealand musician known for his compositions and musicianship as a bass guitar player, and significant contributions to the music industry, as well as his advocacy for the Pacific and Disabled communities.
[1] Umaga's parents were part of the 15,000 Samoans who immigrated to New Zealand between the 1950s to 1970s, first arriving in Newtown, Wellington, before moving to Wainuiomata in 1964, where housing was affordable.
"[3] In 2021 Umaga wrote a composition that was presented at the Kia Mau Festival called Le Taua o le Pepeve’a about a special 'kingly fine mat' called Pepeve'a that was gifted to a son by his father that 'launched sibling rivalry and a war over titles and the kingship' in the 16th century.
[8] Other music Umaga has created includes a song to address stigma of disability called Rise and Shine featuring high-school student group 'Tone6'.
As part of this work 'fono' (a Samoan word that relates to meetings or councils) were held to inform the community as well as speaking engagements at organisations such as at Spectrum Care in 2020.