7th - 8th March 2025
7pm - 10pm
Mangere Arts Centre - Nga Tohu o Uenuku
Celebrating Talent, Tradition and Fire
This pioneering event shines a spotlight on skill, tradition, and passion, a centuries-old traditional art form from Samoa – siva afi/fire knife dancing.
Don’t miss this chance to witness breathtaking performances and support the rising stars of this vibrant tradition.This festival is a celebration of culture, passion, and community. You can expect breathtaking Siva Afi performances, cultural connection and a community atmosphere like no other.
Join us at the festival.
Doors open from 6pm | Performances start from 7pm.
Welcome
Welcome to Six Years of History
On behalf of everyone who has contributed, performed, and supported this journey—especially our funders and community—we welcome you to Siva Afi Festival 2025.
As ASB Polyfest marks 50 years, we reflect on the power of cultural celebration and the importance of taking a moment to appreciate the art, dedication, and passion that fuel traditions like siva afi.
Looking ahead, the next five to ten years will be crucial in shaping the future of siva afi in Aotearoa. The foundation has been set, but the real work begins now—growing this art form, uncovering hidden talent, and ensuring its place in New Zealand’s cultural landscape.
With many former siva afi performers now calling Aotearoa home, we want Siva Afi Festival to be your event—a space to connect, celebrate, and inspire the next generation.
From Tāmaki Makaurau to the regions, the fire is spreading.
Siva Afi Aotearoa
In 2022 Polynesian Entertainers launched a new enterprise Siva Afi Aotearoa, in recognition of the growing interest and positive impact of the Siva Afi Workshops and Siva Afi Festival. Siva Afi Aotearoa is dedicated to promoting and supporting the art of Samoan fire knife dancing in Aotearoa – www.sivaafiaotearoa.co.nz.
The Siva Afi Festival is in its sixth year running and we’re excited to be welcoming international competitors to the Tama Toa Afi Open Men’s competition, plus for the first time the addition of our open men’s competition. The audience can enjoy performances from special guests and internationally renowned experts.
Not-for-profit
Siva Afi Aotearoa is a not-for-profit organisation and relies on grant funding and donations to deliver its workshops and annual festivals free of charge for all ages and ethnicities. We encourage you to join us in our commitment to present Pacific Arts to all audiences, and to provide a pathway for young people to create their own successes, resilience, and knowledge. All levels of donation, from $5, $20 or $200 are of value to us –
visit www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/sivaafiaotearoa to donate.
Friday 7 March
Replay
Saturday 8 March
Replay
Meet Our Top Performers
Fa’afetai & Fa’amalo to our 2025 Performers! Congratulations to all our incredible performers and competitors in Siva Afi Festival 2025. We are so grateful you chose to share your art, passion, and skill with us. For many of you, this is just the beginning of an exciting journey in Siva Afi, and we can't wait to see how you continue to grow and shine in the years ahead.
Wāhine Toa Afi Competition 2025 Champion Hadassah Tagoai-Vaoa
1st Place
Hadassah Tagoai-Vaoa
Auckland, NZ
2nd Place
Portia Meredith-Numia
Auckland, NZ
3rd Place
Electra Akaruru-Pauka
Cook Islands
Tama Toa Afi 2025 Champion
Hikitahi Piokoe
1st Place
Hikitahi Piokoe
Tahiti
2nd Place
Jayden (Suni) Aunese White Auckland, NZ
3rd Place
Reia Togna
Huahine
Junior Siva Afi Competition
2025 Junior Champion
Zion Savea
1st Place
Zion Savea
Auckland, NZ
2nd Place
Mathias Svenson
Tahiti
3rd Place
Bailey Siu Armstrong-Frost
Auckland, NZ
Intermediate Siva Afi Competition
Emi Iliganoa Pritchard
1st Place
Emi Iliganoa Pritchard
Auckland, NZ
2nd Place
Marley Adam
Wellington, NZ
3rd Place
Moa Lua
Wellington, NZ
Here’s what you can expect from this year’s festival
VIP EVENT
Thursday 6 March
7pm – 9pm
“Ava Feiloa’i”
Invite only
DAY ONE
Friday 7 March
7 – 10pm
Juniors and Wahine Toa Afi Competition
DAY TWO
Saturday 8 March
7 – 10pm
Intermediate & Tama Toa Afi Competition
Mālō le Soifua Maua ma le Lagi e Mamā!
Siva Afi Aotearoa would like to acknowledge the organisers of Australia’s first Siva Afi competition held in Brisbane, September 2024, titled Toa Ole Afi Pati Levasa Fire Knife Competition. Pati Levasa (four times world fireknife champion), Su’a Andrew Isaako (Co Director) and Su’a Salote Isaako (Co Director) hosted an amazing couple of days of top talent and New Zealand was proud to support this event with members and individuals from various Siva Afi communities in New Zealand traveling to support and compete. The relationship is reciprocal, and we warmly welcome Andrew as a judge and Salote as an MC in this year’s Siva Afi Festival.
Another trailblazing event was the Siva Afi Tahiti International Fire Knife Competition which ran in November 2024. Those who were able to self-fund their travels from New Zealand attended Tahiti’s competition and represented their Siva Afi communities. We would like to acknowledge Siva Afi Tahiti Director Tumata Vairaaroa for her tireless effort to put on this event and for her support for Siva Afi Festival. We are delighted to again have Tumata with us and welcome a large contingent of competitors from Tahiti.
These bonds of friendship and mutual support will enable Siva Afi to continue to flourish globally.
‘Ava o le Feiloa’iga
An island rich in history, culture, traditions and customs, Samoan society is governed by the fa’asamoa. Fa’asamoa embodies the values, beliefs, ideas, and practices that are represented in the cultural life of Samoan communities, both in the homeland and diaspora.
Performed to mark an important milestone or event, the presentation and distribution of ‘ava (kava plant and drink) is one of many ceremonial customs within the Samoan culture. This ritual is a gesture to acknowledge the coming together of a village, family, or groups of people (with slight variations that are dependent on the occasion).
The ‘ava ceremony is also a visual representation of Samoan society and the roles each individual play; including the taupou (village maiden/’ava mixer), ‘aumaga (men who distribute, make, and serve the ‘ava), ali’i (high chief/s) and tulafale (orator/s). Furthermore, it is a way of showing the key Samoan values of alofa (love), tautua (service) and fa’aaloalo (reverence/humility).
The particular ‘ava ceremony performed for the VIP event is called an ‘ava’ feiloa’i or ‘ava o le feiloa’iga (welcoming ‘ava ceremony) which is presented by the ‘host party’ to the ‘visiting party’ to mark the official launch of the Siva Afi Festival this year, as well as welcome our guests from around Aotearoa, those who have travelled from overseas and all those who have contributed to this year’s event.
Programme
6.30pm – Doors open (MAC ushers to direct guests)
7pm – Tatalo amata (Opening prayer)
7.10pm – ‘Ava Feiloa’i (welcoming ‘ava ceremony)
7.40pm – Siva Afi Festival 2025
7.50pm – ‘AFI AFI’ short film, final cut. (Charlene Tedrow presentation and film viewing)
8.05pm – Lotu fa’ai’u (closing prayer) and blessing of the food
8.15pm – Guests to the foyer for shared food (end of formalities)
Pese 92, Verse 1
Fa’afetai i le Atua, lena tatou tupu ai
Ina ua na alofa fua, ia te i tatou uma
Chorus
Ia pepese, ia pepese
Aleluia fa’afetai
Ia pepese ia pepese
Aleluia fa’afetai
Opening Prayer Hymn
“
Talofa ,
I just wanted to say thank you to the whole team on how organised you all were, and how you all are helping to grow the fireknife community in the New Zealand chapter. To all the Teine Toa, I applaud you, I know it’s not easy, but you all showed the true warrior within, that’s what I call courageous. You all are a part of laying the foundation of the female siva afi dancers, and in the years from now when it’s huge in the world you will look back and say, “I helped build that”. Keep spinning – there’s no limits to where you can go.
Much love from Hawai’i!
David Galea’i
“
Melt is a warm, soul food restaurant with a creative menu, fun and comfortable atmosphere, and a family spot for people to enjoy. Melt knows that food is love, so they serve up food from the heart. Melt offers a variety of different soul food plates that will make you feel at home and comfortable.
At Melt we believe a good meal should put a smile on your face. Melt stands for rich and honest ingredients prepared simply, all in favour of delivering a nostalgic feeling of cozy homemade food.
Comfort Food
Melt celebrates the international influence found in big urban cities. Welcoming and serving all nationalities, Melt blends multi-cultural flavours into food that reminds you of home.
Multi-cultural
No pre-measured or uniformed approach, but a hands-on handmade attitude is the drive behind Melt’s dining experience and reflected in the menu, fit-out and all visual communication.
Art, not science
Siva Afi Māngere are proud to have MELT, SOUL FOOD as the sponsor for their uniform, making sure the ‘Soul’ is brought to Siva Afi this festival.
Thank you Pat & Abby for your generous support, thank you also Chef John and Irlene for endorsing Siva Afi Māngere.
Full Festival Programme
Day One
Friday 7 March
7 - 10PM
6.00pm
Doors open
Food stalls open
7.00pm
Ahuuranui Ori Tahiti – opening performance
MC welcome & karakia
Siva Afi Māngere – workshop demonstration.
7.20pm
Guest Speaker
Introduction to Judges
Siva Afi Exhibition – Special guest performance
7.30pm
Introduction – Juniors Competitors
Juniors competition starts.
8.40pm
Wāhine Toa Siva Afi development squad – performance.
8.50pm
Juniors Competition – Awards Ceremony.
9.00pm
Introduction – Wāhine Toa Afi Competitors
WTA Competition starts.
9.30pm
Anuanua Performing Arts Troupe - performance
9:40pm – WTA Competition – Awards Ceremony.
Farewell and closing prayer.
10.00pm
Stage closed.
Day Two
Saturday 8 March
7 - 10PM
6.00pm
Doors open
Food stalls open
7.00pm
Le Taupou Manaia Auckland – opening performance
MC welcome & karakia
Siva Afi Whau – workshop demonstration.
7.20pm
Guest Speaker
Introduction to Judges
Siva Afi Exhibition – Justyce Uepa – Masters Of The Flame Aotearoa Champion 2024
7.30pm
Introduction – Intermediate Competitors
Intermediate competition starts.
8.30pm
Siva Afi Tahiti – performance.
8.40pm
Intermediate Competition – Awards Ceremony.
8.50pm
Introduction – Tama Toa Afi Competitors
TTA Competition starts.
9.30pm
MaieSitete Siva - performance
9.45pm
TTA Competition – Awards Ceremony.
Farewell and closing prayer.
10.00pm
Stage closed.
Meet Our Judges
AUSTRALIA JUDGE
Su’a Siliva Andrew Isaako
TOA OLE AFI – Pati Levasa Siva Afi Competition Director - Brisbane, Australia.
Second Runner-up, Ailao Afi Competition, American Samoa 2000.
Second Runner-up, Siva Afi Competition, Samoa, 2004.
Su’a has been an ailao afi dancer since he was five years old and comes from a long line of siva afi performers from both Samoa and American Samoa. He acknowledges his brother Komasi Isaako and uncle Leso Mose for their teaching and inspiring him to take up ailao afi.
Now based in Brisbane, Su’a is a co-founder for POU O TOA dance group and a director & co-founder for TOA OLE AFI PATI LEVASA - the first international fireknife competition in Australia in 2024.
NEW ZEALAND JUDGE
Melanie Tia
Two-time World Intermediate Fireknife Champion
Open Women’s Champion, International Siva Afi Competition, Samoa, 2022.
Melanie Tia has been fire dancing for over 20 years. She was the first female competitor to enter the intermediate division at the World Fireknife Championship in Hawai’i.
Melanie is from the village of Siumu, Samoa.
TAHITI JUDGE
Teai Teraiareva
TEAI TERAIAREVA aka Haz good.
26 years of experience in fire dance. In 1999 Tahiti had only one competition called TE AHI NUI.
In 2003 Haz ranked 2nd in the professional category with a single knife. Subsequent years ranking 3rd. He came back in 2023 for the TE AHI TOA where he ranked 2nd in professional category and then 5th in 2024. Haz will be participating in the World Fireknife Championship for the first time this year.
Haz opened his fire dance school last year and is working hard to prepare a new generation of future fire dance students.
Meet the MCs
Su’a Salote Isaako
One of the co-founders for Pouotoa dance group in Australia and one of the event coordinators for Australia’s first fireknife competition Toa ole afi Pati Levasa, Su’a Salote was the lead MC.
Su’a Salote is the daughter of the late Selesa Isaako and mother to Leitu Gaualofa Isaako and hales from the villages of Siumu, Vaovai Falealili, Falese’ela and Salelologa I Savaii.
Her passion for Ailao afi started with siva Samoa, and the use of the nifo’oti and she later picked up Ailao afi through her uncle Su’a Siliva Isaako’s guidance and mentorship. She is one of the two tutors for Pouotoa with Nifo’oti, the other being Ainsley Mamea.
Rahui Tautape Samson
Rahui Tautape Samson is the Founder and Director of HWT - Hupahupa with Tautape a Cook Islands dance and cultural academy for young people.
Born into a legacy of performers, from a young age Tautape has felt at home on stage – whether performing as a member of the iconic Drums of the Pacific Performing Arts, alongside his siblings as a member of award-winning Samson Squad, as his alter ego
‘Papa Spolier’ or as a former Cook Islands Dance Champion. Tautape has amassed a huge local and global audience – with just under 1 million followers across social media platforms, including 17.4 million Tik Tok video likes.
Tautape is a proud son of both the Cook Islands (Rakahanga, Manihiki, Pukapuka) and Samoa (Faleatiu) who celebrates and honours the greatness of both cultures in his service to the community.
Agapetos Leaupepe
Agapetos has been an influential member of the leadership team of TATAU dance troupe, mentoring youth and teaching values of fa’a Samoa. Agapetos has been entertaining and presenting on many stages in New Zealand including as MC to the Annual Pasifika Festival Samoa Village.
Valerie Teraitua
Valerie was the solo MC for the inaugural Siva Afi Festival in 2020. Since then, she has been busy making dreams happen and feeding the community with Papatuanuku Kokiri Marae outreach. It is an honour to have a Wāhine Toa of Māngere grace our stage once again.
Wahine Toa Competitors
Portia Meredith-Numia – 18 years old, Portia represents Tielu, Taua, Leilua and Pereira families and villages of Togafuafua, Matautu, Siufaga, Siumu and Moataa. Portia started Siva Afi in August 2020 at Mt Roskill and has been coached by Tauanuu Amo Ieriko, Mani Jr Sumeo, Valentino Luafaleolo and currently under the guidance of Popea Lautala. In 2024 she placed 3rd in both the International category (mixed) at Siva Afi Tahiti competition and Open Women’s category at Brisbane’s Toa Ole Afi Pati Levasa Fire Knife competition.
Mālia Charlize Giffin - 16 year old student in He Kupenga Rua a Tāne, the bilingual Wānanga at Whangaparaoa College. In 2023 & 2024 the Wānanga hosted cultural exchanges with the founders of the Hawaii Fire Knife World Championships of which she was a part of. After Mālia and a friend decided to learn a “few moves” with a practice stick she found her passion for the artform and decided to take it seriously. Mālia has been training for a couple months, and this is her first competition.
Tiheni Ena - An ukulele teacher at the Polynesian Art Conservatory, Tiheni is a versatile artist passionate about culture, singing, and the arts in general. Recognised for her artistic talents, she shines on stages in Tahiti and internationally. In 2024, she takes on a new challenge by starting fire dancing, not only to develop her own skills but also to inspire her sons to pursue their new passion.
Hadassah Tagoai Vaoa - Hails from the Samoan villages of Aufaga and Salelologa and Fagalii. She has been practicing Siva Afi since 2020 through the Siva Afi Māngere (Māngere-Otahūhū Local Board community programme). Hadassah is coached by Popea Lautala and a dancer for the Wahine Toa Siva Afi group based in Auckland. She placed 2nd in the open women’s category at Toa Ole Afi Pati Levasa Fire Knife competition in Brisbane 2024.
Electra Akaruru-Pauka – 16 years old, a student at Tereora College, born and raised in the beautiful village of Arorangi, Rarotonga. Passionate about sports and dancing, Electra performs for her family’s group Tamariki Manuia Dance Troupe in venues such as Edgewater Resort & Bar and Rarotongan Hotel. Last year, Electra competed in the Intermediate category of the World Fire Knife Championships in Hawaii which fuelled her passion to continue pushing boundaries.
Tama Toa Afi Competitors
Eti Amani Leilua – Eti is18 years old and is from Maninoa, Siumu. Eti fire dances for Sinalei Reef Resort and Coconut Beach Club. He placed 2nd runner-up at the 2023 Samoan International Competition, Champion at the 2024 Samoan International Competition, and 1st runner-up at the 2024 Toa o le Afi Fire knife competition in American Samoa.
Logan Tapuala – 21 years old, representing the villages of Vaiala, Vatia, Manono and Leauvaa. Logan is a Samoan Siva Afi performer based in Melbourne Australia. He also teaches Siva Afi at Measina Siva Afi. This will be Logan’s first time competing at Siva Afi Festival.
Reia Togna – 28 years old, originally from Huahine in French Polynesia. Reia has been practicing fire dancing for two years. This year, he is participating in an international competition for the first time. He will have the honour of representing Tahiti in the adult category, as well as the Te Tama Ahi school of Léon Teai, a proud moment for his culture and artistic journey.
Rhys Levi Krause – 29 years, Rhys hails from Alafua, Samoa, and began learning Siva Afi at the age of eight. After a few years away from the art, Rhys has returned and has also started crafting his own fire knives. Rhys represents Alafua as well as his sponsor, ‘Big Village’.
Teuea Arun – 33 years, from Nanumea, Tuvalu and Thiruvananthapuram, India. Teuea started is siva afi journey by attending workshops at Mangere in 2022. In November 2024 he competed in Siva Afi Tahiti in the International, group and duo categories. Teuea is a tutor with Siva Afi Whau program and a member of Tahimana Polynesian Fire Warriors.
Jayden (Suni) Aunese White – 16 years old from St Pauls College, representing the villages of Fusi Safata, Satufia and Satupaitea in Samoa. Jayden is a member of Tahimana Polynesian Fire Warriors and a Siva Afi tutor for Siva Afi Whau and AKTIVE ZONE. Jayden placed 3rd in the Siva Afi Tahiti Intermediate category November 2024.
Hikitahi Piokoe - 18 years old, from Tahiti. He started Siva Afi at 12 years old with Léon at Te Tama Ahi and won his first title in the Intermediate category at Te Ahi Toa in 2019 and 2023. Hikitahi represented Tahiti at the World Championships in Hawaii and finished 2nd in the Polynesian Championship and 3rd overall at Siva Afi Tahiti 2024.
Junior Competitors
Bailey Siu Armstrong-Frost - 10 years old and attends Kelston Intermediate School. She is a member of AKTIVE ZONE and Siva Afi Whau. Bailey placed 2nd in the Junior category in Siva Afi Tahiti International Fire Knife competition 2024.
Heinokea Boosie Tehio – 10 years old from Tahiti. He is passionate about Ori Tahiti dance and learns ukulele, to’ere drumming and singing with the godmother. He aims to further perfect his fire dancing skills.
Koho'anui Sanquer – 9 years old from Tahiti, representing Teai Teraireva School. Recently competing in Tahiti’s first International Siva Afi competition in the junior category, Ko’oanui doesn’t plan to stop!
Manuera Ena – 8 years old from Tahiti. Passionate about Ori Tahiti he placed 1st at the HEIVA I PARIS. Along with dance he practices singing, ukulele and drumming. He has been a fire dancer since 2024.
Julia Pula-Olo - 12 years old from Rise UP Academy. Julia has been spinning the nifo ‘oti with Le Taupou Manaia Auckland since 2022 under the guidance of Tuifa’asisina Korina Lee. Representing the villages of Fagali’i, Siumu, Lotofaga and Lepea in Samoa.
Mathias Ha'ani Robertson – 12 years old and attends Henderson Intermediate. Representing villages Kolofo'ou Tonga, Tafuna American Samoa, Vaimoso and Sinamoga Samoa. Originally from Long Beach California, now residing in Auckland.
Mathias Svenson – 10 years old from Tahiti. Mathias took 1st place in the TE AHI TOA competitions in 2023 and 2024, and 1st Place in the SIVA AFI TAHITI 2024. He is happy that he can travel thanks to fire dancing and proud to share his passion.
Merahi Oito-Vairaaroa – 11 years old from Tahiti. He started taking fire knife dancing seriously a year ago. Passionate about his craft, he aims to perfect his fire knife dancing skills and competes to gain experience and further develop his abilities.
Zahlia Manos – 10 years old from Tāmaki Makaurau representing the villages of Falelima and Leulumoega in Samoa. She began her journey in 2022 through workshops at AKTIVE ZONE. Zahlia has competed internationally and here in Aotearoa. Coached by Rhys Krause.
Zion Savea – 10 years old from Puhinui School. Representing the villages of Lufilufi, Faleapuna, Saleimoa and Sapapalii in Samoa and his hometown South Auckland. Zion's Siva Afi journey started in 2020 with Nu'ulua Performing Arts Academy in West Auckland.
Intermediate Competitors
Harlym Mokaraka - 13 years old with Samoan and Māori heritage. His connections are to villages Vailele, Siumu and Manase, as well as Ko Ngāpuhi tana iwi and Ko Mahurehure tana hapu. Harlym competed in Brisbane’s Toa Ole Afi Pati Levasa Fire Knife competition in 2024.
Kitona Lua – 16 years old and attends Aotea College in Wellington. He represents villages of Siumu, Poutasi and the group ‘Uso Le Afi’. He placed in the top three in Siva Afi Festival 2023.
Marley Adam – 13 years old and attends St Mary’s College in Wellington. Marley’s heritage is from the villages of Vaito’omuli and Vailoa in Palauli Savai’i, and whakapapa to the iwi of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa me Ngāi Tahu. She placed 2nd in the Junior girls category at Toa Ole Afi Pati Levasa Fire Knife competition in Brisbane, Australia 2024.
Moa Lua – 14 years old from Aotea College, Wellington. Moa is representing the villages of Siumu and Poutasi and the group ‘Uso Le Afi’. In 2024 he competed in the first ever Siva Afi competitions in Australia and Tahiti where he placed 3rd in Australia for the junior boy’s category.
Emi Iliganoa Pritchard – 13 years old from ASDAH (Auckland Seventh-Day
Adventist High). Representing the villages of Sala’ilua (Savai’i), Iva and Vaigaga. She placed 1st in the Junior girl’s category at Toa Ole Afi Pati Levasa Fire Knife competition in Brisbane 2024. Coached by Popea Lautala.
Arden Meredith-Numia - 15 years old from Massey High School. Representing the Tielu, Taua, Leilua and Pereira families together with the villages of Togafuafua, Matautu, Siufaga, Siumu and Moataa. She started Siva Afi in August 2020 at Mt Roskill.
Taniela Tuitupou - 16 years old and attends Dilworth School. Representing the villages of Matautu (Samoa) & Sopu (Tonga) and performing Siva Afi since 2018. Coached by the dancers at Return to Paradise Resort & Spa in Lefaga, Samoa.
Siaosi Tuitupou – 15 years old and attends Dilworth School. Representing the villages of Matautu (Samoa) and Sopu (Tonga) and performing Siva Afi since 2019. Coached by the dancers at Return to Paradise Resort & Spa in Lefaga, Samoa.
Media
We love sharing our passion for Siva Afi with the world.
Dancing with fire knives: the growth of Siva Afi in Aotearoa
Kea Kids News: Samoan fireknife dancers set the Diversity stage ablaze
Next weekend is one of Aoteaora New Zealand's cornerstone summer festivals - Auckland's Pasifika, celebrated across eight Island stages at Western Springs in Auckland.
As it heads towards dark, however, another festival takes over. It celebrates one of the Pacific's most distinctive performance traditions: Siva Afi or Samoan fire knife dancing.
Now in its sixth year, the Siva Afi Festival is running as part of the Auckland Arts Festival. Fire knife dancers from Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Hawai'i and around Aotearoa come together for nightly competition, exhibition and 'ava.
The festival is run by Siva Afi Aotearoa, a three-year old organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting the art of this dance.
This is a distinctive artform. It was originally used by warriors to show off their skill with a lethal long hook-ended war-club or knife, the Nifo'oti. It is twirled, thrown and caught with an array of fast movement, to equally fast drumming. It's now performed across the Pacific and is growing as a competitive festival event.
The Siva Afi Festival is running at Māngere Arts Centre Ngā Tohu o Uenuku from the 7th to the 9th of March.
Culture 101 welcomed director Tauanu'u Amo Ieniko to introduce the artform.
Reporter Amelia is at the Diversity Festival in South Auckland, where kid Samoan Siva Afi dancers are showing off their passion for fireknife, and devotion to culture. Video / KKN
Festival Testimonials
“I admire the growth of the festival due to your vision to share Siva Afi with the World, but also to be so inclusive in doing so. Your RNZ interview was so clear and concise in explaining the origins of the art form, the festival and growing Siva Afi in Aotearoa. Massive congratulations Amo. Really proud of your journey. “
Tanya Muagututi'a, Pasifika Festivals
With thanks to our Supporters
Festival Funders, Partnership, Supporters
Pacific Arts Centre (Henderson). Foundation North. Māngere-Otāhūhū Local Board.
Creative Communities Scheme. Māngere-Otāhūhū Arts. Auckland Council.
Toa Ole Afi – Pati Levasa Fire Knife Competition (Australia). Pou O Toa (Australia). Big Village.
Aktive Zone (West Auckland). Auckland Arts Festival. TMK Packers. Sylvie Wongk Photography (Tahiti).
Manaia Production. MELT Soul Food. Siva Afi Tahiti.