“I believe that, in our second home (New Zealand), we have an obligation to pass our Pasifika arts to the next generation because it forms the identity of our youth.
“Which is why we had this initiative in mind and asked for funding to do it. We are grateful to the Department of Internal Affairs for the funding and our board of trustees, led by Mona Ferris, for supporting the initiative because it is important for our community to keep our cultures and languages alive for generations to come.
“We also thank the Archbishop of Aotearoa and Tairāwhiti, the Most Reverend Donald Tamihere and his staff for offering the Te Rau College site for this programme.”
Dr Toetu'u-Tamihere said Simoa Tuilautala Fainga'anuku had been instrumental in teaching Pasifika cultural dances in schools around Gisborne.
Mrs Fainga'anuku is one of the Kaliloa initiative's dance instructors for rangatahi (13 and above).
She has always held a fascination for Tongan performing arts, “especially when we had fundraisers and community events”.
“It really sparked a passion for island dances in me. The curiosity grew on me.
“Every time I saw our Pasifika arts, I wondered about their dance moves. In our Pasifika dances, every move has a story to tell. They are not only to the beat of the music but also have a deeper meaning attached to them.
“Pasifika arts is a part of my identity and I want to pass this knowledge to our young tagata Pasifika so that they can keep our traditions alive.”
Another of the Kaliloa initiative's dance instructors is Ma'ata Valeti Kaliopasi Mesui.
She started the Lolopuko dance group in Tairawhiti with Mrs Fainga'anuku to promote Pasifika performing arts at big events such as the Poverty Bay A&P Show and Te Tairawhiti Arts Festival.
Mrs Mesui teaches tamariki (12 years and under) Pasifika dances for the Kaliloa initiative.
Dancing has always been her passion.
“I think dancing is in my genes. Throughout the year, PICT hosted events where I got invited to do Tongan dances and Samoan Siva which inspired me, especially when the whole community came together and had fun. It felt like we were at home celebrating our Pasifika identities.
“I think even if you are not from the Pacific Islands, you should experience our culture.”
Mrs Mesui said it was important for her to pass on her knowledge of Pasifika arts to her children.
“So they can carry this tradition of sharing knowledge on and not to lose it (our mother tongue) because a lot of Tongan kids nowadays don't even know how to speak their native language let alone understand Pasifika dances.
“In Kaliloa dance sessions, we teach all Pasifika dances from all of Oceania we know best.
“We are very happy that the Department of Internal Affairs has funded Kaliloa initiative, because it shows us that they care about our Pasifika culture and heritage.”
For more details about the Kaliloa initiative and final performance, visit PICT Gisborne's Facebook page.
