“Storytime and Play” children’s video series celebrates traditional stories and Indigenous languages in Solomon Islands, Niue and Samoa

The vibrant cultures and local languages of the Pacific take centre stage with the launch of the Storytime and Play children’s video series, now available for download on the Storytime & Play app and website.

Storytime and Play takes viewers on a journey through the Pacific, to listen to stories crafted for children, celebrating the unique languages, traditions, and cultures of Niue, Samoa and Solomon Islands. This is the first-ever local children’s video series developed in these countries, a monumental achievement in promoting early childhood learning through media.

The groundbreaking initiative is the result of a collaboration between local media teams—Dreamcast Production in Solomon Islands, Samoa GEM in Samoa, Rocksteady in Niue and nine youth groups from Niue—supported by Plan International Australia and in partnership with Save The Children in Solomon Islands, National Council for Early Childhood Education in Samoa, Niue Primary School and Big hART.

This project was funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Investment in early childhood development initiatives aligns with the Ministry’s goals of a prosperous and resilient Pacific, and a secure and stable region.

STP Samoa National Coordinator, Ms Gardenia Elisaia says the project has been a game-changer.

“It’s not just about creating children’s content—it’s about preserving our stories, our language, and our way of life for future generations.

“We are proud to see our culture come to life on screen and to share it with children across the Pacific.”

Niue Media producer Mr Glen Jackson of Rocksteady Ent. said it was inspiring to see young audiences engage with content that reflects their own heritage, culture and language.

“Storytelling is at the heart of our culture, and this project has given us a platform to bring our traditional stories to life in a way that resonates with today’s children,” he said.

“Through Storytime & Play, we are ensuring that our children’s first stories are their own – rooted in the land, language and culture of their people.”

In Solomon Islands, the stories represented their nine provinces.

“Bringing our kastom stories to the screen has been an incredible journey for the youth artist collective here at Dreamcast. Each province in the Solomon Islands has rich traditions and history that need to be shared with the next generation – it’s one way we help preserve our culture, led by the future generations themselves,” said Mr Neil Nuia, Creative Director, Dreamcast Theatre.

The series is the result of extensive collaboration with artists, content creators, educators, elders and caregivers in each country, emphasising the importance of preserving Pacific languages and cultures and showcasing traditional stories in an engaging modern format.

This initiative not only entertains but also plays a vital role in preserving the unique cultural tapestry of the Pacific. Through a partnership with Pasifika TV, a free-to-air channel providing content to 25 broadcasters across 15 Pacific Island nations, the children’s TV series will also be available for broadcast throughout the Pacific region.

Available for free on Google Play and the Apple Store, the app features culturally rich and engaging traditional children’s stories aimed at celebrating local language, dance and music from the three Pacific Island countries.