Pacific Dance Artist in Residence Launched

Pacific Dance Artist in Residence Launched

Tuaine Robati

Pacific Dance NZ was very proud to have launched the 2014 Pacific Dance Artist in Residence, Tuaine-Nurse Tamarua Robati, in his two-month journey on Saturday 26th April at Pataka Museum in Porirua.

Members of the Porirua community, the Porirua Cook Islands Association, the Cook Islands Presbyterian Church and Whitireia students and graduates along with others from the Wellington community; sang, danced and prayed for the success of the residency.

A blessing by Revered Les Solomona of the Cook Islands Presbyterian Church started off preceedings, followed by speeches by Iosefa Enari (Director, PDNZ), Tuaine Robati himself and the official launch by His Excellency Mr Tekaotiki Matapo (Cook Islands High Commissioner), accompanied by performances by Whitireia NZ students.

The event was also MC'd by last year's Pacific Dance Artist in Resident - Tupe Lualua - who this year is overseeing the residency as part of an internship with Pacific Dance New Zealand and fulfilling her master's studies requirements with Victoria University.

The first workshop of the residency following the official launch and afternoon tea, had 40 participants from a range of backgrounds and ages.

The workshop series is offered to high school students on Wednesdays, 4pm - 6pm, at the Te Akapua'anga Hall (Cook Islands Hall); and on Saturday's, 4pm - 6pm at Pataka Museum.

The purpose of the workshops are to explore concepts around the idea of PUERA:

Peu - Culture and Customs
Ura - Dance
Evangelia - Spirituality
Rakei - Costuming
Akateni - Music and Instruments

Robati hopes that with this foundation he may be able to bloom these ideas into an as yet to be developed project in which he eluded to on the day and received very favourable responses from the general community in attendance.

As part of the residency Tuaine has taken on several Whitireia New Zealand graduates as apprentices: George Teinakore George, Paris Kaitai, Te Hau Winitana and Julien Lameka Nehemia (Meka).

#PUERA will continue every Wednesday and Saturday for the next two-months.

The 2014 Pacific Dance Artist in Residence is supported by Pacific Dance New Zealand, DANZ (Dance Aotearoa New Zealand), Creative New Zealand & Pataka Art and Museum, with venue support from the Porirua Cook Islands Association

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