MANU making moves in Hawaii and Macau

Talofa Lava, Kia Ora, Malo e lelei!

We are MANU, a project-based Pacific dance collective that is aimed at giving tertiary dance students of M?ori and Pacific descent the opportunity to: network and collaborate with each other, learn from one another, and explore their cultural heritage through Pacific-inspired contemporary movement.

We are a kaupapa and dance group underpinned by indigenous Pacific and M?ori morals such as family, collectivity, love and respect.

After a successful trip last year to the 'Macau New Zealand Youth Dance Festival', China (MIYDF), we have been formally invited back in July 2019 alongside over 600 dancers from over 20 countries worldwide.

Also within July 2019, MANU Project has been given the opportunity to represent New Zealand and the Pacific at the 'Asia Pacific Dance Festival', Hawai'i (APDF). Being fortunate to bring to life New Zealand contemporary professional dancers/choreographers Eddie Elliott and Bianca Hyslop artistic visions, we will be taking two separate teams in July 2019 to perform in Macau and Hawai'i.

This years team of 29 talented performers and emerging artists are current and/or dance graduates of The University of Auckland, Unitec Institute of Technology, Whitireia, the New Zealand School of Dance and the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts within Aotearoa New Zealand, and the New Zealand Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association in Australia.

How you can help:

As our performers are current students and/or recent graduates, we have developed this campaign as a final stage of our fundraising and we need YOUR help!

We are seeking a target of $2,500 financial support to contribute towards the expenses of both our Macau and Hawai'i performers' transportation, travel insurance and emergency funds.

With both trips estimating a combined cost of $20,000 (excluding flights), any money raised over our target will be hugely beneficai to us.

We sincerely thank you for taking the time to read this and for your constant support, we could not do this without you!

We are so excited to represent our families, friends and country at these two New Zealand festivals!

Fa'afetai tele lava, Ng? Mihi, Malo 'auptio,

Our MANU family...

Director: Xavier Breed

Co-directors and leadership team: Jasmin 'Ofamo'oni, Deanna Westerlund and Lila Fepuleai

Guest choreographers: Bianca Hyslop, Eddie Elliott and Laifa Ta'ala

Tu?kana: Jade Whaanga

 

Performers:

Ayden Smith

Deborah Fletcher

Levi Siaosi

Sophie Greig

Jacob Ioapa

Naki Taulanga

Aroha Pehi

Paula Kahu

Viva Elesoni

Jareen Wee

Syrai Taumihau

Jireh Lalotoa-Peniata

Kompton Ta'ala

Ngatau Leaf

Kiwa Andrews

Keyana Fuiava

Raisedinland Lose

Chas Samoa

Oli Talasiga

Nicole Wilkie

Melissa Sripromma

Ankaramy Fepuleai

Nea Brink

Christian Segi

Abbie Rogers

Kimberly Green

Arohanui Watene

Cassandra De La Croix

Cheyanne Teka