Junior crew, 'Roxy' from RGD, took home 2nd place in the junior division at Project in 2024. Photo / Supplied
Junior crew, 'Roxy' from RGD, took home 2nd place in the junior division at Project in 2024. Photo / Supplied
Project Hip Hop Dance Competition returns to Mercury Arena Baypark this King’s Birthday Weekend, bringing more than 1000 young dancers together for a two-day celebration of movement, music, and mana.
Held onMay 31 and June 1, this high-energy dance competition gives young people the opportunity to grow, create, and express themselves - whether they’re just starting out or competing at an elite level.
Founder and event director Sarah Martin created the competition while teaching at Te Puke High School.
At the time, her students didn’t feel confident entering national dance competitions, so she made a platform where they could build their skills and self-belief.
“Project was designed to provide an opportunity for entry-level dancers to experience a high-quality dance competition event to gain confidence to enter other national events,” Martin said.
“A full-circle moment for me this year is seeing Te Puke High School entering again for the first time in over a decade, led by their head of dance, Jennifer Cram, who was a student of mine back when it all began.”
From humble beginnings at Baycourt in 2010 with just nine crews and 70 dancers, Project Hip Hop has become a major event on the national dance calendar.
In 2024, the competition attracted 1004 dancers across 94 crews, drawing in more than 2400 spectators.
This year, the event is set to be even bigger, with 102 crews registered.
This event is supported by the Tauranga Event Fund, which helps fund arts, culture, and sporting events that enrich the city.
Tauranga City Council venues and events manager Nelita Burne said the event was a great example of the creative, vibrant, and inclusive initiatives the fund aims to foster.
“We’re proud to support events like Project Hip Hop. Dance - particularly hip hop - is a crossover between sport and culture, demanding the physicality and discipline of sport, alongside the creativity and storytelling of the arts. Events like this resonate with many young people in our city, reflecting their passions and giving them something positive to aim for.”
Varsity crew, 'Allegiance' from Mafia Dance Family, at Project Hip Hop in 2024. Photo / Supplied
Bay Venues head of events Amanda West said it was an occasion that truly reflects the power of youth-led expression.
“This event is a vibrant celebration of Aotearoa’s street dance culture, bringing together talent, creativity, and community from across the motu. We’re proud to host an event that uplifts young people and showcases the power of dance.”
Long-time MC of the event Hadleigh Pouesi said Project’s impact went far beyond the stage.
“Over the last 15 years, I’ve seen firsthand how this event shapes the dance industry and our wider community,” said Pouesi.
She said it had launched careers and helped “thousands of rangatahi [youth] unlock leadership, creativity, and confidence”.
“The kaupapa has never changed, it’s about giving young people a platform to express themselves, challenge themselves, and feel empowered.”
