TONGAN FLAIR & HAUTE COUTURE AT THE AUCKLAND MUSEUM
Twilight Tuesdays at the Auckland War Memorial Museum is about to get 'mafana' under the kava bowl in the Te Ao Mārama South Atrium with a Tongan haute couture showcase on June 13th. The 2023 Pacific Dance NZ Festival has again added a fashion show to its line-up with United States born, San Francisco raised and educated Tongan designer Beau Louis Takapu. Beau Takapu has made New Zealand home and has worked for WORLD brand before he became a contestant on Project Runway New Zealand. This show debuted on NZ television screens in late 2018 as an adaption of the American
MOANA Showcase – Tala Tupu’a
Tapa Tupu'a by Losaline Tupou features in our MOANA Showcase 2022. The piece was inspired by Losaline's grandparents, especially her grandma. She used to share bedtime stories to teach her the Tongan culture, networks, connections and why we do what we do. Losaline's grandmother made stories entertaining to target her grandchildren so they would be engaged. I chose the story of Hikule’o to create an opportunity to share the stage with all my sisters. We asked Losaline to use 5 power words to describe her short piece that features classics from the late HM Queen Salote (Loka Siliva) and Tuimalo Kalo
Daniel Mateo – from ‘A New Dawn – ‘Aho’eitu’
Radio New Zealand Interview with Daniel Mateo Recording courtesy of Radio New Zealand. Daniel Mateo is a 20 year old Gamilaraay descendant from Northern NSW, Australia as well as a descendant from Ma’ufanga, Tonga. Daniel studied at NAISDA Dance College and is now a contemporary dancer, performing with Bangarra Dance Theatre. Daniel dances in Sisi'uno Helu's 'A New Dawn' a dance depiction of the story of 'Aho'eitu, the son of Tangaloa. The work explores the preparation of a journey into the unknown of a young Tongan prince named 'Aho'eitu to meet his Father - the ancient God Tangaloa who lived in