LEECHES

Leeches follows nine award-winning and internationally acclaimed dancers and their experiences living the modern experience of being Kiwi and Pasifika; their turmoils and triumphs of living in a Euro-centric country.

The performers take on character roles of members of society to reflect and challenge how the modern Pasifika person is perceived by one another and New Zealanders. In light of recent rhetoric in the New Zealand media regarding the Pacific Islands being “leeches... only wanting money from us,” the performance questions whether the remarks are justified considering both current and historical relationships and events between New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Pacific Dance NZ is governed by the Pacific Islands Dance Fono Trust and was formed in 2010. Pacific Dance NZ exists to foster and encourage traditional and contemporary Pacific dance development initiatives across New Zealand. Our core programmes are the Artist in Residence, Choreographic Lab, School Holiday and Education Programmes, various Community Dance Projects and the Pacific Dance Festival. In its fourth year, this is the first time the Pacific Dance Festival has premiered a show into the heart of Auckland City. www.pacificdance.co.nz