New Zealand and Pacific Dance Competition - Results
We are so proud to celebrate the winners of the 2026 New Zealand and Pacific Dance Competition! This online video competition was created to showcase young dancers across Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific, allowing them to express their culture and heritage with pride.
Thank you to every dancer who shared their work with us. Even if you didn’t get a prize, all of your performances reflected your skill, your passion, and most importantly, your individuality. Each of you resonated with our mission, to showcase the power of dance to connect communities across the Pacific.
1st Place
Tiahna Bennett-Kawana, Samoan Dance 🇼🇸
“Talofa lava! My name is Tiahna Bennett-Kawana, and I’m 16 years old. My chosen dance style is Samoan dance, proudly representing my culture of Samoa 685.
Being Samoan is a huge part of who I am, and through dance I’m able to express my culture, my pride, and the values that have been passed down through my family and community. Samoan dance allows me to tell stories through movement, emotion, and performance, while honouring my heritage and where I come from.
I’ve always enjoyed performing and connecting with others through culture, music, and dance. For me, dance is more than just movement — it’s a way to celebrate identity, strength, and tradition. Every action and expression in my performance reflects the love and pride I have for my culture and my people.
Representing Samoa means carrying the spirit of my ancestors with me and performing with confidence, respect, and heart.”
SECOND PLACE
Te Aawhina Ahomiro, Māori Poi 🇳🇿
“Ko Te Aawhina toku ingoa
He uri ahau no Te Tai Tokerau
I am 15 years of age and the style of this piece that I have chosen to perform is based around Poi. This Poi talks about Tawhirimatea (God of the Wind) and also the importance of Matariki (Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea). To see that many of our Polynesian people have a way to express their cultures through this competition, I am very pleased and overly joyed to be apart of these moments as they help grow our relationship with not only our culture but also one another, so in conclusion,
He mihi maioha tenei kia koutou te tima Kanikani Tahi mo to manaakitanga i a matou nga rangatahi katoa.”
