Last night, we went to our first ever Sistema Aotearoa Hui Taurima (end of year concerts) in the BNZ Theatre at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau.
Seeing and sitting amongst the vast number of Maori and Pasefika families, supporting their children, playing Western classical instruments such as the violin and cello and dancing and singing songs in Samoan, Tongan and Cook Islands Maori, which they themselves had composed, was refreshing and heartening.
Shout out to our talented and awesome friend and vioilinist extraordinaire, Peau Halapua, who conducted the eldest orchestra in the first concert. She is pictured in the first photo, proudly wearing her kiekie and is the only Pasefika (Tongan) classical music tutor on staff.
We Should Practice 