Niki Hastings-McFall was born in West Auckland and raised by her English grandparents. She first met her Samoan father in 1992 when he was terminally ill. He died later that year having had a profound influence on Niki and her work.
She originally trained as a jeweller and has a degree in Visual Arts.
She has recently worked on larger installation pieces that she calls “mixed media assemblages”.
From Samoan descent she explores the concept of Pacific Islanders living in an urban environment. Her work incorporates diverse materials including artificial lei, plastic fish and reflective roadside vinyl. She is one of the core members of a group of artists of Pasifika descent who brought contemporary Pacific art to national prominence and international acceptance.
Her work is represented in many public and private collections including Te Papa, Dowse and Chartwell.