Pukepuke ‘o Tonga - Holding on to Tongan Culture

TE AO MĀRAMA SOUTH ATRIUM
FREE, NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED

“Bringing forward young performers as leaders for language and culture sustainability.”

Celebrate Tonga Language Week with song and dance from the young performers of Pukepuke ‘o Tonga.

This performance, called "Kumifonua", is a homage to their ancestors who left their fonua (land) in search (kumi) of a better life and made their way to Aotearoa, bringing with them their culture, heritage and way of life. The performers acknowledge that they stand on the shoulders of those who came before them through their faiva Faka-Tonga. As the new generation holding onto this rich heritage, they are now tasked to maintain and pass it on to the next generation.

Pukepuke ‘o Tonga is a community arts organization dedicated to preserving Tongan culture through collaboration, learning and development. In this performance, our Pukepuke ‘o Tonga children and youth showcase the journey of our Faiva Faka-Tonga from our Friendly Islands to Aotearoa.