For Stan Wolfgramm, the ocean is more than just a vast expanse of water; it is the lifeblood of his identity, culture, and purpose. 

As a cultural sustainability entrepreneur and CEO of Drum Productions, Wolfgramm has dedicated his life to telling stories that not only honor his Pacific heritage but also advocate for the preservation of the world’s largest ocean.

Born in New Zealand to a Cook Islander mother from Arorangi and Rarotonga, and a Tongan-German father from Vava’u, Wolfgramm’s quest for identity has always been intertwined with his connection to the Pacific Ocean.

A journey of self-discovery

“For me, a lot of my storytelling comes from actually searching for my identity—who am I?” Wolfgramm said.

Growing up between the traditions of the Pacific and the modernity of the West, he discovered his voice through a journey of self-discovery.

“Once I found my voice, the question became: how can I use it? And for me, that’s through the ocean,” he said. 

“As a Pacific person, I grew up around the ocean. It’s more than a resource; it’s our history, culture, and sustenance.”

From passion to purpose

Wolfgramm’s deep love for the ocean began early, starting as a dive instructor and continuing through his frequent travels to the islands. 

“I realised how important the islands were to me, to my family, and to my people. And that’s my inspiration,” he explains.

However, it was the realisation that the Pacific voice was missing from global discussions about ocean conservation that sparked his larger purpose.

“I look around me and see that so much of the ocean is actually our ocean, the Pacific Ocean,” he said. 

“What’s lacking is our Pacific voice in these conversations. As a storyteller, I realised I had the skills and opportunity to facilitate that voice.

“So much of our ocean story is told by others, not from the Pacific perspective. We needed a platform to bring our voice to the forefront.”

Moana Pasifika: A platform for the Pacific

Enter the Moana Pasifika Global Touring Exhibition, born from the necessity of amplifying Pacific voices in global climate change and ocean degradation conversations.

Unlike traditional forums where Pacific Islanders are invited to contribute under external agendas, this initiative flips the script. 

“In global discussions about the Pacific Ocean, our voice is often missing,” Wolfgramm said. 

“We’re expected to wait for an invitation to speak at conferences like COP or UN Ocean Conferences, where the agenda is already set. But why wait? Why not create our own platform and take our message directly to the doorsteps of those who have a stake in the ocean?”

The touring exhibition, housed in six containers, will visit museums, aquariums, and cultural hubs worldwide. 

These “black boxes,” as Wolfgramm calls them, will host the exhibition for months at a time, sharing the indigenous Pacific story of the ocean with international audiences.

Shifting global perspectives

“This is our chance to control the agenda,” Wolfgramm said. 

“This is our chance to control the agenda, speak directly to the people who influence decision-makers. These are the people who vote for them, and these are the people who spend a dollar.

“We hope that we can influence where they vote and where they spend their dollar to support our voice and our needs in the Pacific Ocean.”

The Moana Pasifika exhibition aims to educate and inspire, telling positive, values-based stories that highlight why Pacific peoples love and care for the ocean.

“We want to tell love stories of the ocean. We want to share the stories of why we love the ocean, why it’s important to us, and why we protect it,” he explains. 

“We’re the only ones who can tell these stories because we are people of the Pacific Ocean.

“it’s different than telling stories of negative, don’t do this, don’t do that. We hope to inspire others by telling them our stories.

The exhibition will challenge audiences to rethink their relationship with the ocean through a values-based approach. 

“The perspective that we take is a Pacific perspective, and our proposition is a values proposition. We actually challenge people’s values around their thoughts or their connection to the ocean.”

A central element is the pledge: “Give the first fish you catch back to the sea, plant every child’s placenta under a tree, teach your children to do the same, and they will learn to love and protect life and the planet.”

This pledge summarises the Pacific’s deep respect for the ocean and its resources. 

Immersive storytelling through technology

The exhibition integrates cutting-edge technologies to enhance the experience. 

“A lot of the exhibition is about giving people a Pacific experience. That’s why we use traditional artifacts – they link us to our past, present, and future,” said Wolfgramm.

“We’re using everything from 3D scanning and 3D printing to explore gaming platforms for creating immersive imagery.

“The goal is to make visitors feel like they are in the ocean from a Pacific perspective—an underwater experience that is both educational and emotional.

“We bring the stories to life through different artists and storytelling techniques, whether through visual art, music, or dance.

Wolfgramm emphasises the use of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and holograms to create an interactive and immersive experience that brings the Pacific Ocean to life.

“By combining these elements, we’ve developed a formula that makes the exhibition groundbreaking while offering an amazing immersive experience.”

Collaboration across borders

The Moana Pasifika exhibition is not only about sharing Pacific stories—it’s about fostering collaboration. 

Wolfgramm envisions the project as a platform for Pacific Islanders to unite and share their stories with global audiences.

“We’re inviting artists, musicians, chefs, and even fashion designers to collaborate with us. Imagine garments inspired by the Pacific, created in partnership with international designers,” he said.

By incorporating diverse storytelling mediums, he hopes to bridge cultural divides and unite people globally in the fight to protect the ocean.

 “We want to create a ripple effect that inspires others to support ocean conservation efforts and amplify our message.”

Overcoming challenges

The journey to launching this global exhibition has not been without its challenges. 

From feasibility studies to pandemic-related delays, the project faced many obstacles. 

“We’ve been through a long process of feasibility, design, and partnering, which we did with funding from the U.S State Department, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We did all that and were in the marketplace partnering.

“But COVID-19 shut down museums and delayed our plans,” Wolfgramm recalls. 

“However, we adapted by creating a mobile app to educate people about marine protected areas.

Now, with borders open, we’re seeking funding and partnerships from philanthropists, NGOs, and financial investors to bring the exhibition to life.

“The launch of the exhibition is depended on when we can secure finance. Then it takes us 12 months to build and then from there we go on the road.”

Aligning with conservation goals

The Moana Pasifika exhibition is aligned with the Pacific region’s 30 by 30 ocean conservation goal, addressing issues such as overfishing, rising sea levels, and ocean acidification. 

“We’re part of the effort to bring about change—whether it’s a shift in values, policy, or legislation,” Wolfgramm said.

“We act as a catalyst to bring people together, have conversations, understand the issues, and take action.”

The exhibition also promotes marine protected areas (MPAs), which are central to their conservation strategies. 

“We hope to inspire people to take action and understand the importance of protecting our ocean,” he said.

“Our focus is on education, awareness, and bringing people together to drive change in conservation.”

Empowering the next generation

A key objective of the exhibition is to empower Pacific youth, who represent the future. 

“For us as Pacific people, we live in the past, present, and future. The younger generation represents that future, and their perspective is vital as anybody else’s,” he emphasised. 

The Moana Pasifika exhibition is more than a touring exhibit—it’s a movement. 

By telling the indigenous story of the Pacific Ocean, Wolfgramm aims to shift global perspectives, foster collaboration, and inspire action.

A call to action

“Our ocean is a shared concern,” he said. 

Through love, respect, and storytelling, the exhibition aims to unite people in protecting the ocean for generations to come. 

His message is clear: The world is ready to listen, and the Pacific has a story to tell.