With a flaming fire knife in one hand the young performer flies to the edge of the stage, somersaults across it and begins his routine that involves spinning the burning fire knife in front of his face.
Gisborne Boys' High student Ethan Ratapu only began training a year ago in the Samoan art known as siva afi but with moves like that managed to take fifth place in a siva afi competition in New Zealand's first Schools Siva Afi competition which was held at Auckland's Mangere Arts Centre on Saturday Competitors from Gisborne and Auckland performed traditional items from Samoa, Tahiti and Hawaii.
Ethan took up training in the art of fire knife dance under maths teacher and siva afi exponent Tim Noyce “because it looked cool and different”, he says.
After living in Samoa for eight years, during which time he trained in the art of siva afi, Noyce moved to Gisborne. His achievements in siva afi competition include winning the New Zealand 2017 TahiMana Fire championship, third place in the 2018 individual men's event in the Cook Islands and third place in a duo routine with Amo Ieriko in the 2019 world siva afi competition in Samoa.
“I'm pretty much the only white guy who does siva afi,” says Noyce.