auckland

Yumi PNG perform at North Shore Pasifika 2010

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This past Saturday (27/1110), a young group of Papua New Guineans performed at Auckland’s North Shore Pasifika festival in New Zealand.

Comprising of members of Manus, Oro, Kerema, Milne Bay, Western Highland and Engan heritage, Yumi PNG was formed so that the youth based in Auckland’s North Shore could firstly get in touch with their roots through traditional songs and dances and secondly to create a support system for themselves as a number of them have recently moved to New Zealand and transition into a new way of life and culture can be difficult.

Headed by their youth leaders Michaelyn Pokarop, Kimberly Mills and Udu Mea, the group have been practising since September for the event and on Saturday performed a dance from Milne Bay and a dance from Manus.This was the group’s first official performance and the group intend to keep learning new songs and dances and hope to be able to continue performing in and around Auckland to showcase Papua New Guinea and its diversity to a country that still knows little about their island neighbour.

This entry was posted in auckland, manus dance, Milne Bay, New Zealand, North Shore Pasifika 2010, Papua New Guinea.

PNG centre stage at Westfield Style Pasifika

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A little known PNG first timer took out this years Westfield Style Pasifika’s Body Art Section.

William Jakk from Milne Bay but based in Auckland entered this year’s body art section and won. His design titled Snake People and modelled by Harry Hillary Jenkins was a stand out amongst the six other finalists.

Using clay and soil mixed with body paints William akso added PNG masks into the mix to create his winning design.

It was great to see PNG being represented on Friday night and to have William win was truely an added bonus. All the Papua New Guineans there that night were especially proud!

This entry was posted in Art, auckland, fashion, Papua New Guinea.