Auckland's iconic Pasifika Festival was back in Western Springs Park for 2024. We caught some of the amazing community group performances from the variety of stages 

Melanesians stand up! we're shedding light on all our beautiful Melanesian islands, traditions, people and most importantly (in Jane's opinion😂) THE FOOD." Here's how we does it in this unique part of the Moana!

We're in Tauranga for Pasifika in the Bay 2023! Join us in celebrating Pasifika culture through dance, food, and workshops. 🌴💃🌺🎉

Te Maeva Nui took Auckland by storm with hundreds of Cook Islanders flocking to represent their island groups! 🇨🇰✨ Check out the highlights of this popular festival that is pulling in Kuki’s of all ages to perform their hearts out! 🌺

It's the biggest event in the Cook Islands social calendar and you're invited! It's a week of dance, music, arts & local food at Te Maeva Nui 2023 🇨🇰🌺 - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Fashion Shows.

It's Tū’aro Māo’hi: traditional sports and we've got a front row seat just for you! Catch the full experience of this event! Coconut tree climbing, stone lifting, javelin throwing, coconut husking, fruit carrying and much more, Māuruuru!🇵🇫 - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Fashion Shows.

Heilala is BACK! This year’s Heilala Festival marks the official come back of the annual festivity since the covid-19 pandemic. It is one of Tonga’s significant national events conducted every year to celebrate His Majesty the King’s birthday. See the incredible Float Parade take to the streets of Tonga! 🇹🇴 - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Fashion Shows.

Congratulations to Agnes Renee Leihiwahiwaikapolionāmakua Thronas Brown who was crowned Miss Aloha Hula 2023!   Twelve contestants competed for the prestigious title on the opening competition night for the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo on the Big Island. It is the 3rd consecutive Miss Aloha Hula win for Tracie and Keawe Lopes of Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe. {{32414}} Breeze Ann Kalehuaonālani Vidinha Pavao came in second place and Meleāna Kamalani Mirafuentes placed third and won the Hawaiian Language award. Watch more snippets from the Merrie Monarch Festival here  -  The Miss Aloha Hula competition began in 1971. Each hālau may submit one contestant who is 18 to 25 years old and unmarried. Each contestant performs a hula kahiko and hula 'auana. For kahiko, they must perform an oli, ka'i, mele, and ho'i in the 7 minute time limit.

Auckland's iconic Pasifika Festival was back in Western Springs Park for the first time in five years with the full festival lineup in March 2023. Check out the highlights plus sights and sounds of the best of Pacific Island culture, music, dance, food and much more with 8 villages representing 11 Pacific Island nations.

The Tuvaluan Arts Collective - Fafine Niutao I Aotearoa together with the Niutao island community hosted a Tuvalu Arts Festival over the weekend with the aim of providing opportunities for their artists to share their art & culture beyond their own communities. {{12593}} All up there was around 100 women who participated in the one day festival.  Although the Tuvaluan community have a very strong and vibrant culture and identity in New Zealand and each of the 8 main islands hold their own cultural events & festivals, this was a new festival initiative to try and get the smaller Tuvaluan island community groups to connect & engage with mainstream artists and art galleries.  {{12597}}  One of the smallest islands in the Tuvalu group Nukulaelae participated and did a special contemporary dance with vaka paddles.  Rare and beautiful traditional art work from the wider community was exhibited and sold including traditional dance costumes, pandanus weaving, kolose (crochet patterns) & Fa Fetu. Mats previously displayed at Object Space - came from the art exhibition.  There was every day art, casual tops with crochet in them and women making traditional fans &  traditional dance skirts. {{12602}} As well as the art forms like Kolose that are particular to Tuvalu, there was also Sulu Faka’alo which looks like tivaevae from the Cook Islands.  Tuvaluan women were  exposed to the artform when their husbands went mining on the island of Fanafa but it is not widely known that Tuvalu practices this art form. Along with the Auckland Tuvaluan community, Tuvaluans from both Oamaru and Wellington EKT came up with exhibits (Oamaru had done an exhibition inconjunction with the theatre production 'Still Life with Chickens') and support for the Tuvalu heritage arts. {{12606}} Tuvaluan Arts Collective co-ordinator Malama T-Pole said she hoped the event would encourage the Tuvaluan grassroots community artists as well as bridge the gap between the island arts and mainstream arts and exposure as there is still a need to promote arts and networking for the community in this way "It's important for NZ raised kids to see our island arts elevated in mainstream and seeing it outside their own communities" she said. {{12611}}

Heiva i Tahiti is back after 2 years of no competition. The competition in Tahiti started on Friday the 1st of July and will continue through to the 16th of July featuring 5 nights of compeition, an awards evening and 2 winners evenings. Check out Onaku Ellis' hura tau above as she competes for the Best Dancer title. 

The highly anticipated hula event returned in April 2022 with a live audience and a limited number of invited guests. If you missed the event - never fear, we've got coverage of the full performances of the Miss Aloha Hula competition (Kahiko & 'Auana) above, Hula Kahiko and Hula Auana and awards (videos below). -  Hula Kahiko  {{28352}} -  Hula 'Auana  {{28353}}

We go behind the scenes at Marsters house (Palmerston Island hostel) with Tamarua Marsters and Atiu Hostel with Bob Williams during Te Maeva Nui Cook Islands 2021. They show us all the intricate details that go into their island's dance groups costume making. Take an up-close look into what it takes to make garments fit for a stage and jaw-dropping performance. From parrot fish scales to birds feathers ... a lot of intricate details go into making a Kuki dance fit.

Kia orana! Welcome to the beautiful sights and sounds of Te Maeva Nui Aotearoa. We keep Fresh with our Kuki Airani family as they show us their vibrant culture and cherished traditions. We go behind the scenes as the groups prepare and get a look at the big performances on the Te Maeva Nui stage. - Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Pacific Cabarets.

Welcome to the beautiful Cook Islands! The land of beautiful smiles and vibrant traditions. In this segment, we go into the Marsters house to take a tour behind the scenes of Te Maeva Nui costume making. We get an up-close look into what it takes to make garments fit for a stage and jaw-dropping performance. From parrot fish scales to sand... a lot of intricate details go into making a Kuki fit. Keepin It Fresh brings you all the freshness happening in our Moana communities, from Siva Afi Festivals to Pacific Cabarets.

Benji Timu gives us an exclusive look into Te Vaka Takitumu groups journey to 'Te Maeva Nui NZ 2021'. The film introduces some of the performers of Takitumu NZ and gives us insight to the process involved leading up to the competition. Narrated by Vivian Hosking-Auē and supported by other members of the group. . *Refer to timecodes below 1:00 - Introduction 4:21 - Practices and insights by performers 8:50 - Costume making 13:06 - Vivian 15:55 - Cook Islands culture and Takitumu bond 17:50 - Favourite performances Performance timecodes: Kapa Rima (action song) - 19:40 Pe’e (chant) - 28:47 Ute - 41:03 Imene Tuki (traditional hymn) - 49:42 Ura Pa’u (drum dance) - 58:08

Te Ulu O Te Watu’s Imene Tuki is composed by Tauti Timoti and based on the events of 2020, a Pandemic that has spread world wide. Never before have we faced such a devastating disease such as this. bringing disbelief, panic and uncertainty to all those unfortunate to have encountered it: Because of this, words not normally used have been introduced into everyday conversations such as Level 1 to Level 4, Lockdown, isolation periods and Vaccine. Stretching from country to country, from coast to coast, the invisible threat moves with such unbelievable speed and veracity from family to family taking lives without warning, moving swiftly, silently unnoticed until it has taken a loved one. The uncertainty of the Pandemic transmission has touched all areas of everyday life within the workplace: families, friends and communities and being able to cope with enforced restrictions places a heavy burden on us all emotionally. Resilience is what lies ahead for us all. Today, gives us the ability to endure.

Oire Tokoroa perform their Ura Pa'u at Te Maeva Nui NZ 2021. In their drum dance they show how the borders that were closed does not limit us and that God’s plan for us is to bring hope and a bright future. We are only limited by our own borders that keep us separated from Him and others. Resilience can come in many forms, in that, we can break the borders in our thinking, that limits us from realising our full potential. We open with the gateway ‘which can be likened to the opening of the heavens, and as it opens, here comes Oire Tokoroa. With God we are free.

A'ua'u Enua performs their Pe'e at Te Maeva Nui NZ 2021. Their Pe'e is based on the historic event of supreme temporal power, lords, Chiefs & rulers of Mangaia. It covers the subject of the violent past Mangaian Society had before Christianity arrived. Before the arrival of the missionaries, Mangaia was an island of violent warriors fighting for the title of leader of the island. Bloodshed & land wars were fought furiously. All lands were divided up among the victors. There was severe Bloodshed in villages because the people were dissatisfied with decisions made by their rulers / lords. The last ruler (in that era), Pangemiro, died shortly after the missionaries arrival. In 1823, missionaries arrived & the abolition of war under Christianity effectively froze the power structure, the division of land & titles in the state they had been in at that time. Numangatini Ariki became dominant, with the title alternating between two branches of the family. Since Numangatini Ariki, Mangaian people have lived peacefully without land wars & bloodshed. This has allowed the people to follow one leader. In time “Aronga Mana” (composed of Numangatini & 6 Chiefs (Kavana’s) representing the six villages in Mangaia) rules the island & still to this day.

Te ulu o te watu perform their Ura Pa'u at Te Maeva Nui NZ 2021 composed by Darius Rupena. Drawing from their history once again, the composition of Te Ulu o te Watu's drum dance is based upon the theme of this year’s Maeva Nui – Resilience, Power and Unity. The main emphasis of their drum dance is based on Wanunga who was the only female survivor of one of the most devastating and disastrous natural events to ever hit the Pukapukan people in the last 6 centuries. This event was one of the deadliest hurricanes that destroyed their infrastructure and almost wiped out the whole population of Pukapuka. Miraculously, 17 people survived, one of those survivors was a wawine named Wanunga.

Takitumu perform their Kapa rima "Oki mai" at the 2021 Te Maeva Nui NZ festival. The song was composed by Vivian Hosking-Aue and Puretu Aue. Takitumu’s Kapa Rima is about the ongoing issue of homelessness here in Auckland and are raising awareness that homelessness is a significant issue in New Zealand and that they, as Cook Islanders, could make a difference by uniting together to tackle this issue. They feel it is an issue for them as Cook Islanders to understand in depth what is happening in our society today. In relation to resilience, we can recover from homelessness if we unite together, care for one another and share unconditional love to the homeless. They believe that homelessness is important to cover in their Kapa Rima as they want to showcase their deepest sympathy to this worldwide issue, through their lyrics and choreography.

Vaka Teauotonga perform their imene tuki at the 2021 Te Maeva Nui NZ festival. It is titled “Te kimi nei i tetai akairo” composed by Te Kau Taunga Tumukorero o Teauotonga. This is what their imene tuki is about - Mathews 12 speaks of the confrontation between the Jewish leaders and Jesus which came a head with their accusing Jesus of doing his works by Satan’s power, and his warning them of the unpardonable sin. The point that Jesus was making was that the Kingdom of Heaven had come and that they were going to be excluded if they persisted in their rejection of Him. This warning troubled the Pharisees and Scribes, the Jewish leaders, but they were still not convinced that he was the Messiah. So they demanded a sign from Him. And that is really what this whole chapter is about where Jesus condemns the Jewish leaders for their rejection of him by demanding a sign from him to prove that he was the true Messiah. And Mathew draws a comparison between the Prophet Jonah who spent three days and three nights in the belly of a big fish and Jesus who will spend three nights and three days in the belly of the earth but will rise again on the third day. Jonah was at the door of death but God kept him alive so why would the men of Nineveh stand up with the judgement of this generation and condemn it, and they repented at the preaching of Jonah and yet the Messiah is far greater than him in here.

Te Vaka Puaikura perform their Ute at the 2021 Te Maeva Nui NZ festival. Te Vaka Puaikura’s Ute evolves around the “World View of Adversities”, not just COVID19, but the whole array of Geopolitical Issues around the world, the chaos produced through greed, corruption, indigenous genocide, and is creeping into the Cook Islands diaspora. World Wars, World Atrocities, World Oil Wars, Cold Wars, Trade Wars, Economic Greed, Corruption. It also increased the costs of living standards, displacements, climate migration, which resulted in some Pacific Island Countries becoming climate refugees. People of the Pacific, to include the Cook Islands and Indigenous Peoples realigned priorities, and worked together in unity, (Families, Grand Parents, Parents, Children, Grandchildren) despite the chaos, as the derivatives of the World Chaos We need to revert to the old ways of our ancestors, the way they did things, and adapt their old ways to our modern lives, and grow in that knowledge.

Aitutaki Enua perform their Kapa Rima (action song) at the 2021 Te Maeva Nui NZ festival. They said this of their performance -  "Our Performance depicts how scared and unsure we are as Cook Islands people from this “Maki Kino” Coronavirus. How are we going to protect ourselves from this, how are we as a small nation going to be resilient against this? Our on stage performance will show how peaceful we are “sleeping” to being awoken by a frightening “Silence”. This brings about fear. We do not know how to protect ourselves, we don't know why, how or who to trust and we lack understanding. We want to cover Covid and its deadly spread around the world. We hear how this affects the whole World and even powerful countries cannot protect themselves, so how does a small nation do it? It is relevant to the theme through Unity, Love, Trust we can overcome this INVISIBLE FEAR together.  This is important as it is still relevant in this present day. Medicines are not guaranteed, the sickness is still mutating and our Kapa Rima is perfect for showcasing the Pain, Fear and Unity." 

Oire Tokoroa perform their Imene Tuki at the 2021 Te Maeva Nui NZ festival. They said this about their song:  "There is a voice that comes from the south that challenges the very fabric of our normalcy ie what we take for granted. One from the south is evil and the other offers hope. They demand a sign to show their power. Jesus reminds us of Jonah who was inside the whale for 3rays and 3 nights just as Jesus lay in the tomb for that time. We are reminded of the two queens one from the south and the other the mother of Jesus who is our vision of royalty to aspire to. Without this faith we will not conquer life’s challenges to bring about harmony. This is our desire, this is our resilience, this is Te Maeva Nui 2021. Kua tu Atoa." - Oire Tokoroa 

Tongareva Henua perform their Pese at the 2021 Te Maeva Nui NZ festival. Tongareva's pese was composed around the arrival of the christian church.   In the olden days Tongareva worshipped a god called Kui and they trusted and believed that everything revolved around Kui.   When the gospel arrived their eyes were opened.  They left Kui by the wayside and grabbed on to the teachings of Jesus. Lyrics by Manata Akatapuria,  Tune by Matekura Uamaki & Merle Pukerua  Pese Choreography by Matekura Uamaki  -  Te Maeva Nui o Aotearoa New Zealand's second bi-annual festival celebrating the Cook Islands people, community and their uniqueness by showcasing their Arts, Culture and Heritage. The mission statement for this year’s theme is - Resilience Te Mana o te Ngakau Toa e te Ruru’anga Okotai, Kia Autu. “Through the Power of Resilience and Unity, we stand”

We explore the freshness at the Siva Afi Festival at the Mangere Arts Center. This day of celebrating the art of fire knife dancing is also one lead by an all-female dance troop. Watch as these wahine toa reclaim the art of Siva Afi and show that it is an art form that women can excel in despite being a predominately male field. Peep the performances, smiles, dancers, and vibrant colours of this incredibly empowering festival!

The Te Maeva Nui o Aotearoa New Zealand board is proud to announce the second bi- annual Te Maeva Nui Festival celebrating the Cook Islands people, community and their uniqueness by showcasing their Arts, Culture and Heritage. {{21377}} Seven amazing Enua and Vaka will perform over two action packed days of competition at Auckland’s Barfoot & Thompson Stadium on July 23 -24 2021. There will be an array of beautiful vibrant costumes, jaw dropping dancing, phenomenal traditional drumming, the marketplace, Cook Islands culinary treats and much more. {{21379}} Festival Director Duane Wichman-Evans says “After fifty-five years in the Cook Islands we are very blessed and privileged to have the Te Maeva Nui Festival here in Aotearoa New Zealand for the second time. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring family, friends, villages and community together to embrace and uplift our culture through our language, song, dance performance, arts and crafts, fellowship and of course food”. {{21381}} “Our Theme for this year is RESILIENCE. In these uncertain times due to Covid19 we stand in unity showing our strength to withstand adversity. We encourage building bridges to link our Cook Islands community in Aotearoa back to their homeland. For all our performers it is a place to stand proud and shine, and be part of their Vaka, Enua and villages. Te Maeva Nui is an opportunity for Cook Islanders, and Pasifika in New Zealand to stand strong, reflecting on their heritage, whilst paving the way to a better future.” {{21383}} There will be over 1000 performers ranging from 14 years to 65 years of age. Many NZ born Cook Islanders haven’t been to their mother land and don’t speak Cook Islands Maori. Now in rehearsals the groups are learning the traditional art of costume designing, weaving costumes, drumming, composing, singing and song writing - language and culture at the forefront. {{21385}} The Te Maeva Nui Festival Aotearoa has created a foundation for these things to happen. The mission statement for this year’s theme - Resilience Te Mana o te Ngakau Toa e te Ruru’anga Okotai, Kia Autu. “Through the Power of Resilience and Unity, we stand” Tickets for this event will be available online from 10th April 2021 at Ticketmaster and from key community locations.

Experience the drumming, dance, carving, language and culture of the Marquesas Islands!

Samoan cultural performances by talented Dancers from (Western) Samoa and American Samoa at the 9th Pacific Arts Festival hosted by the Republic of Palau in 2004.

Heiva happens once a year and part of the festival & celebration is Tahiti's traditional sports - Tu'aro Ma'ohi Ancestral and Traditional Games. It is like the Olympics of what the Tahitians tupuna used to do.  Competition includes Rock lifting, coconut tree climbing, old school Tahitian wrestling, husking coconuts, javelin and a weighted log run carrying fruit. In 2015 Tahiti opened their games up to other Pacific Islands nations to come and compete also. Witness the Fitness!

For the first time in 7 years, the Cook Islands community in Queensland celebrated Cook Islands day on the Gold Coast.    Previously the celebration has been held in Logan Brisbane and is organised by the Cook Islands Council Queensland Inc.  This year for our Te Maeva Nui celebrations we had eight islands groups voluntarily perform. Next year it will be returning to Logan.

Te Maeva Nui International night features a visiting group from Hobsonville in Aotearoa, fire knife performers from Hawai'i as well as local community groups residing in the Cook Islands - Samoan, Kiribati, Niuean and the Phillipines.

Heiva I Tahiti Dance 2018 - where the best of the best Tahitian performers gather and showcase their astounding abilities.

Check out the traditional games competition in Tahiti as part of the Heiva Festival. This year they had delegations from Samoa, the Cook Islands and Hawaii who came to compete as well.

Tatau I Moorea 2018  Where some of the best tatau artists from all over the Pacific gather to share their craft with one another.

Dance of the Gods - Haka Manu (Bird Dance) a fierce dance performed in the Marquesas Islands. Like us on Facebook Subscribe to our YouTube

Our friends at 'Tutu on the Beach' captured some highlights from the Heilala Festival float parade or 'folouti' as it's known in the Kingdom. Check out this years Miss Heilala contestants who feature on the floats.  Keep an eye out on the Live Stream Tonga FB page for the Miss Heilala Prizegiving & Ball. {{9594}}

Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka of Maui, under the direction of kumu Napua Greig, took the overall winner title of the 55th Merrie Monarch Festival early Sunday morning at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium. Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka had the highest combined score of 1,200, earning it the Lokalia Montgomery Perpetual Trophy. Check out more of the stunning pics from the 'Auana competition in the photo gallery here A total of 29 hula troupes — nine kane (men) and 20 wahine (women) — competed in the group kahiko competition on Friday, followed by the group auana competition on Saturday. On Thursday night, Greig’s solo dancer, Shalia Kapuauʻionalani Kikuyo Kamakaokalani, also won the Miss Aloha Hula title among 12 contenders. Check out more of the pics of the gorgeous contestants in the Miss Aloha Hula competition here

Keepin it Fresh at the Teuila Festival in Samoa with Pani!