My happy place: Tua Huri, performer

Tua Huri loves the Tahitian culture.

My happy place is being in Tahiti on the beach. I married a Tahitian, which is why I love Tahiti. It's so romantic, so beautiful. I love the sand there - you can get pink sand, black sand, white sand, and even gold sand.

You go to the outer islands and they're untouched by the French influence. You don't get traffic - you get lots of dinghies with motors on the back going in and out, and it's safe as. You go out and find a little motu - or island - and just put your blanket out and sunbathe until you're black.

My favourite beach is one in Rangiroa. It's called the Blue Lagoon, and it's just amazing. You go out on a boat to this secluded place. You're met by sharks and dolphins. You feed the sharks and then you get out of your boat and wade through them to get over to the motu. The sea world there is just amazing. I go into the water and I thank God for allowing me to be with my amazing family, with this amazing man, in this amazing place.

I'm a Cook Islander, and I was born in Whakatane and spent my first few years in Minginui Forest, near Murupara, before Dad brought us up to Auckland - to the smoke, he called it.

I met my husband, Jean-Pierre, in Tahiti when I was 16, on my first overseas trip. I was with his family, and they set us up. They invited my sister and me to dinner and he was there. I looked at him and I thought, "For real? Those green eyes can't be real."

Everyone was saying, "We should get those two together." I thought to myself, "Whatever - I'm going back to New Zealand and I'm not going to see you again."

A few years later I went back for another holiday, and they set us up again. I didn't speak French and he didn't speak English but you don't need language when you're in love. We got married on the 12th of April, 1982.

We set up a Tahitian group in Auckland 20 years ago called Tahiti ia Ora, meaning Tahiti Alive. It was my husband's dream to be able to continue his culture in New Zealand. The whole family are involved - three of my kids dance in it, and my youngest, who's 5 months, will be brought up right in the middle of it. My granddaughter is 4 years old, and she loves it, too.

It's a time for fun and entertainment, but also time we can spend with the children. Being with them is my other happy place.

Tahiti ia Ora performs today at 6pm and tomorrow at 5.30pm at the Easter Show, which is on 10am to 10pm at the ASB Showgrounds. Entry is free.