About Campfire Studios
🔥 CONNECT • CONVERSE • AMPLIFY • IMPACT🔥
Igniting Stories, Empowering Communities: The Vision of Campfire Studios.
Founded by industry veterans Will Fleming and Guy Pigden, Campfire Studios is a podcasting and video production company, committed to capturing authentic narratives that inspire, educate, and foster meaningful conversations. With over 20 years of experience in film and television Campfire’s mission is to create documentaries and podcasts that bring communities together, and drive social change.
Will is, a Cook Islands-born director, producer, and podcast host, His vision for Campfire Studios is rooted in creating inclusive, transformative media that strengthens cultural identity and fosters intergenerational connections.
Campfire Studios has produced a range of groundbreaking documentaries. Instruments of the Moana (2024) is an eight-part docuseries for SOUNZ that documents and preserves endangered Pacific Island instruments, ensuring that future generations can experience the sounds and stories of their ancestors. Tales of Pasifika Police in the Time of Dawn Raids (2023) sheds light on the experiences of Pacific Island police officers during New Zealand’s controversial Dawn Raids era, preserving a crucial chapter of history that still resonates today. Through these projects, Campfire Studios is ensuring that the voices of indigenous communities continue to be heard for generations to come.
Beyond filmmaking, Campfire Studios is deeply invested in empowering future generations through storytelling. Their community-led philanthropic initiatives provide opportunities for rangatahi to develop their skills and share their voices through podcasting.
The DigiKōr podcasting programme equips young Māori and Pasifika students with the tools to enhance their oral communication skills while learning from elders. Through this initiative, Campfire Studios ensures that oral traditions—an essential aspect of Pacific cultures—are not only preserved but also evolve with modern media.
Their work extends to projects like The Immigration Stat-US Podcast, guiding new immigrants through the complexities of settling in Aotearoa; a podcast series with Zeducation, supporting Māori and Pasifika educators in upskilling and career development; and a collaboration with Dr. Edmond Fehoko, documenting the inspiring journeys of Pasifika PhD graduates, showcasing their achievements and breaking barriers for future generations.
Campfire Studios is also deeply committed to mental health advocacy. Their podcast Let’s Get Pre-sifik serves as a powerful platform for discussing suicide prevention, breaking down stigmas, and fostering open conversations about mental well-being. By engaging with experts, community leaders, and those with lived experiences, the podcast provides crucial support and guidance, offering a lifeline to those who need it most.
Will Fleming
Will Fleming is a leading video director, podcast producer, and host from the Cook Islands with over a decade of experience in the media industry. He has worked for leading broadcasters such as Sky, TVNZ, and MediaWorks, with a strong focus on amplifying authentic Māori and Pasifika stories.
Inspired by his passion for storytelling, Will founded Campfire Studios, a production company dedicated to fostering intergenerational collaboration and deeper personal connections through conversation. The studio's work reflects its mission to elevate voices from Māori and Pasifika communities, helping to preserve their rich cultural heritage.
Notable projects from Campfire Studios include One More Win (2015), a documentary chronicling the journey of the Cook Islands Rugby team, and the Instruments of the Moana 8-part docuseries (2024), which preserves endangered Pacific Island instruments. Will also produced Tales of Pasifika Police in the Time of Dawn Raids (2023), a documentary highlighting the experiences of Pacific Island police officers during New Zealand’s Dawn Raids.
In addition to his work in media, Will serves in education and community engagement through his development of the DigiKōr podcasting programme. This initiative empowers young Māori and Pasifika students to enhance their oral communication skills while connecting with their cultural roots through digital storytelling.
Will's mission is to provide safe spaces for our people to talanoa and preserve the oral traditions of all Pacific communities, ensuring that future generations can hold their knowledge by learning how to record and share their own stories.
Guy Pigden
At the helm of the engine room is Filmmaker Guy Pigden, a multifaceted freelancer with a passion for digital media and a wealth of experience creating content across various platforms. He is an accomplished writer and director, having created three feature films and several award-winning shorts and web series, such as "Older" and "Glimpses", which are available on Amazon Prime. He has also produced digital commercial content for brands such as Visa, Panasonic, and Oriana TV.
With over twenty years of experience in the industry, Guy has developed a diverse range of video content for online and streaming platforms. In addition to his professional work, he has also spent the last three years teaching Digital Media & Design at the Manukau Institute of Technology's Otara Campus. His goal as a teacher is to empower and inspire a diverse range of Māori and Pasifika students by providing them with the tools and skills they need to create digital content and tell their own stories through social media and beyond.
As an educator, Guy's mission is to enable and encourage a diverse range of Māori and Pasifika students to reach their full potential by providing them with real-world skills that they can use to shape their careers. He is committed to fostering a positive learning environment that creates a level playing field for all students to succeed, grow, and thrive.
