Only four more sleeps until you see Tahitian’s dance

5 March 2012

Only four more sleeps until you see Tahitian’s dance

Ia orana. The smell of Tahitian oil will waft through Western Springs in four days time.

Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) Event Producer Ole Maiava says Tahiti is one of 10 Pacific cultures showcasing at the Festival.

“This year Kei Tawhiti is coming from Tahiti just for the Festival. The group is well known for its rhythmic drumming, having won awards over the years. The founder, Carlos Tuia, makes all the drums used by the group,” explains Mr. Maiava.

They will be found at the Tahiti village which will be one of 10 villages dotted around Western Springs during the Festival Day celebrations on Saturday 10 March.

“If your ukulele needs a repair than visit the Tahiti village and it will get first class care from Victor, a descendant of Rapanui, where the ukulele originated from.

“You could also learn from Tahitian weavers about how to make rauti skirts for young dancers, leggings for the boys and moumou or Tahitian dresses,” says Mr. Maiava.

Lock it in your calendar, dust off your sunnies and be part of Pasifika Festival 2012.

Ends

Notes for editors
• This year Pasifika celebrates 20 years of celebrating Pacific culture in Auckland.
• Friday 9 March, 7pm - 9pm, the Pasifika Festival Opening Night Concert will feature guest artists and performances from 10 different cultures.
• Saturday 10 March, 10am - 5pm, Pasifika Festival Day will see the park transformed into 10 villages from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tokelau, Niue, Tahiti, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Aotearoa. Each village will offer food, art, dance and music.
• Entry is FREE, and for the first time the park will be fenced with six entrances located on Great North Road (x2), Motions Road, Stadium Rd, and near Western Springs Stadium and Auckland Zoo.
• Visit: http://www.aucklandnz.com/pasifika for more information.

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