Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Seven Kuki entertainment groups went head to head in fierce competition at the inaugural Kapa Nui Aotearoa festival held in Auckland recently.
The competition featured an all-star judging line up of former Cook Islands dance champions and choreographers, including Pacific dance legend Iosefa Enari.
“I think for me not being from the Cook Island culture, I’m sort of looking at unity and to see whether these groups also have young people involved in them as well,” says Enari.
“I think that’s part of the Cook Island language week ethos is to get younger generation people involved in their cultures.”
Dance champion Jane Rubena also joined Enari on the panel, and was excited to see how the items had been combined.
“They have the kaparima as well as the ute together so I’m really excited about seeing how the creativity comes through by all the choreographers and the team.”
All the competing teams are also seasoned professionals, performing at festivals, birthdays, weddings and community events.
The Anuanua Dance troupe have been performing since 1992 and this year, they celebrated their 30th anniversary.
“It’s an amazing feeling being a part of something like this and just recognizing all their hard work,” says an Anuanua team member.
“Just the unity and everything with what our team has created – I think for our team it’s nothing new, it’s the same thing just like hopping on stage and performing.”
