The young dancers of Pukapuka’s Te Maeva Nui team are excited and looking forward to their performances in the Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Cultural Development) organised cultural festival which starts today with the official opening and float parade at the Constitution Park.

The girls have been using their school holidays preparing their natural fibre costumes for the Ura Pau (drum dance) and Kapa Rima (action song) items at the Pukapuka hostel.

One of the dancers, Moeroa Iosefa said: “We are all helping out, there’s a lot to do but we are happy to dance for our culture.”

Leaders of the team, Junior Ruarau and Toka are working together to choreograph the items and everyone in the group lend hand when they can.

“From the start we had many female dancers but not many boys since some have gone overseas to work and others are too busy with their jobs, but ‘mataora matou’ we are happy to be in Te Maeva Nui,” said Ruarau.

Pukapuka will feature in the float parade this afternoon which starts at 1pm at the Constitution Park (opposite St Joseph’s Cathedral). Their Kapa Rima performance will feature on Wednesday, August 3, Choir and Imene Tuki performances on Constitution Day, Thursday, August 4, and Ura Pau on Friday, August 5.

All performances will be held at the National Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now $20, $10 and $5, contact Tauranga Vananga for more information on 20725.