MOANA Showcase 2024
This year, we invite you to witness the MOANA showcase like no other, brimming with talent, innovation, and the soulful narratives of our Pacific people.
A Mealofa to Samoa – To Samoa with Love
Introducing the 2023 Pacific Dance NZ Artist in Residence Programme (Samoa) featuring Villa Junior Lemanu Pacific Dance NZ is excited to announce our 2023 Artist in Residence programme on the Beautiful Island of Samoa. And trust us when we say, it's going to be a game-changer! The Artist in Residence programme is a treasured gem in the Pacific Dance NZ annual calendar. For years, we've celebrated the beauty and diversity of Pacific dance and culture right here in Aotearoa New Zealand. But this year, we're raising the bar, and we couldn't be more excited about it! Say 'Talofa' to the evolution
Calling All Pacific Artists: Your Time is Now for the 2024 Pacific Dance NZ Festival!
Are you a Pacific artist with a burning desire to showcase your talent on a grand stage? Look no further! Pacific Dance NZ is thrilled to announce the open call for expressions of interest for the highly anticipated 2024 Pacific Dance NZ Festival. Whether you're a dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, or any other form of creative expressionist, this is your chance to shine and share your unique Pacific heritage with a captivated audience. Join us as we celebrate the richness and diversity of Pacific dance and culture. Get ready to leave an indelible mark at the most vibrant dance festival in
Unveiling the Unconventional
In the world of fashion, unexpected pairings often result in the most captivating creations. Beau Louis Takapu, known for his unique and boundary-pushing designs, has joined forces with the Feohianga Alonga 'ia Kalaisi Trust, a group deeply rooted in Tongan heritage and the practice of Faikava. This collaboration not only pushes the boundaries of fashion but also celebrates the diverse cultural tapestry that weaves our society together.
AFI LOA – Celebrating the Power of Pacific Women
The Auckland Art Gallery is set to screen a captivating film that breathes new life into the remarkable story of the Virgin Taupou Grave in Saleaula Savaii, Samoa. "AFI LOA," directed by the exceptionally talented Charlene Tedrow, takes us on a mesmerizing journey that explores the power of lava and its parallel existence within the tama’ita’i, the women of the Pacific. Through this awe-inspiring performance, the film pays homage to the rise of women in the realm of siva afi, the fire dance, and celebrates their strength and resilience. Join us as we delve into the magic of "AFI LOA"
Experience the Beauty of Diversity: ‘ENUA
"Experience the Magic of Pacific Couture and Dance: 'ENUA' Takes Center Stage at Pacific Dance NZ Festival 2023" The Pacific Dance NZ Festival 2023 just got even better with the addition of 'ENUA', a Pacific Couture fashion and dance show by the talented Viv Hosking-Aue, AUĒ dance company, and the House of Va. 'ENUA', previously known as 'Territory', was created and choreographed by Hosking-Aue in 2014, and now, 10 years later, it's back to life! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WJYf9_VW7zY In this inspiring and thought-provoking performance, Hosking-Aue explores how we interact with people from different social-cultural backgrounds. He asks the question, "What if South Auckland was Ponsonby
June ’23 Festival Dance OnScreen – FREE EVENT
Dance OnScreen FREE Event Sunday 11th June 2023, 2pm - 4pm AUCKLAND ART GALLERY TOI O TĀMAKI We are inviting you to venture into Auckland City during our festival to participate in our FREE workshops, open air-rehearsals and the popular 'Dance OnScreen'. Tataki Auckland Unlimited and the Auckland Art Gallery have enjoyed a long partnership and they will host our open-air rehearsals with Viv Auē and Lominia Meteri-Araitia on Saturday 27th May, 3rd & 10th June at 1130am on the mezzanine. On Sunday 11th June 2023 from 2 pm, our Dance OnScreen will be in the auditorium on the lower level of the
Checkout our Samoa Vlog!
https://youtu.be/XXvtocR7uOs The team attended the 3 night festival in Apia on a recent trip to meet with potential partners. Each evening was themed with a mash-up of heritage and contemporary dance. Check-out our Vlog for our favourite parts of the festival.
Nesian Productions – This is me, This is US
It has been an awesome collaboration for Pacific Dance NZ with PHAB & Nesian productions. PHAB is an inclusive organisation that 'walks the talk' promoting self reliance that enhances the social opportunities for people with disabilities. PHAB is not an organization "of" or "for" people with disabilities. The PHAB experience is offered jointly and equally to disabled and non-disabled people. The opportunities and activities are intended to be of equal benefit to all members. Many memories have been formed with the Pasifika branch of PHAB - Nesian Productions. On Wednesday 13th December - Te Oro in Glen Innes was packed with friends,
Nafa and Hula time in Te Taitokerau
There are Pasifika right throughout Aotearoa and Pacific Dance NZ receives many requests for heritage dance workshops from throughout the motu. Earlier this month the Pacific Dance NZ team responded to a call and with their nafa and hula routine took a trip Te Taitokerau - Whangarei to run a two day dance workshop. The first night was a real treat and the attendance was our largest public workshop group that we have seen all year. Our young fit and accomplished dancers Aisea Latu and Leki Jackson-Bourke led an intergenerational group of 60 people that ranged in
SUMMER KIDS DANCE JANUARY 2023
Summer School Holiday Pacific Dance program for 7-15 year olds in Auckland. FREE registrations
Who is Sisi’uno Helu? – Cultural, Choreographer Extraordinaire
Sisi'uno Helu is the choreographer and director of the piece 'New Dawn - Aho'eitu'. Sisi'uno shares with us a little about who she is…. I went back to Tonga, after graduating from the Conservatorium of Music, Brisbane, in Australia. At 22 years old, I was made Director for ‘Atenisi Foundation for Performing Arts, (AFPA) at my father’s school, ‘Atenisi Institute. AFPA performed classical anthems, European opera and Tongan music and dance. At the end of 1996, AFPA started touring continuously until 2002. The tours were to New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, California and Utah in the US and also to Fiji, Samoa and
New dance reclaims old worlds
Lavinia Lovo has a question. Pacific peoples of all ability face challenges, she begins. So why are some identifying by physical disability first, Lovo asks, not cultural identity like most others Pasefika? “We have to stop identifying only by disability and start with culture,” she says to an audience of around 80 people, in July. Tightly-circled, that call was made at an event at Papaptoetoe town hall, hosted by YesDisability, PHAB Pacific and VakaTautua. “Without that identity, the culture is lost, and the message is lost.” Born with spina bifida just before the new millennium, Lovo is young enough as a youth leader to