Manamea: Last chance for NZ to experience the heartfelt spectacle

Returning to where it all began, the crowd-favourite theatre spectacle, Manamea, will grace the stage of Māngere Arts Centre this month, marking the last chance for Aotearoa audiences to experience it before the show heads to Australia.

Created by the talented team behind Lalelei, Rosalina, and Fa’asinomaga, Sau E Siva Creatives brings their third and final season of the heartfelt story, Manamea, back to South Auckland.

More than just a performance, it’s a celebration and a love letter to the people who have supported their journey from the very beginning.

Italia Hunt from Sau E Siva joined fellow creative Leki Jackson-Bourke on PMN Sāmoa to talk about some new and exciting elements added to this year’s version.

“This Manamea show deals with a particular event in Sāmoan history,” Hunt says. "Our show focuses on a family, and it deals with different themes and ideas like love, coping with loss, and the meaning of aiga.”

Hunt adds that the story also follows a rivalry between two villages, depicting the build-up and resolution of that tension throughout the play.

With the growing demand from fans across the ditch to see the Aotearoa-based collectives’ work, a decision was made to hold a final fundraising performance.

The collective has brought together cast members from previous seasons to deliver this revamped version.

“What’s different is this show is more so a show for us because we had quite a few people…who really enjoy our work…reach out to us from across the country,” Hunt says.

“We put out the call to past members from season one and two, giving them the kaupapa with what we’re all about and what this season means to us.”

Jackson-Bourke says after 12 years together, their purpose has always remained grounded in telling stories through Sāmoan dance. He adds it is “humbling to see the impact” of their work.

He recalled that when they started, there weren’t many Siva academies, and their work was specifically local to Auckland.

“We kind of always knew we had an international audience, we see all the comments on the internet and we’re just really grateful to even have this platform to give our dancers and singers the opportunity to perform," Jackson-Bourke says.

“I think what makes us different is that we are the only company to do narrative-driven performance, where we give a whole show from scratch.”

Set beneath the bright full moon, Season Three follows the forbidden romance of Pelepa and Sitione, two young lovers caught in their families’ bitter land dispute.

As tensions escalate, the story serves as a reminder that while the resources of the land may be shared, the land itself is part of our Gafa (ancestors).

Jackson-Bourke says Manamea is all about “love, drama, and we know Sāmoans love the goss!

“We love faitatala! We put all that goodness into our show, and it’s been successful; we’ve had two sold-out seasons.”

Interwoven with poetic reflections and cultural wisdom, the play honours the ancestral connection to fanua (land) while addressing the ripple effects of environmental and generational change.

As the Sāmoan proverb states: Amuia le masina, e alu ma toe sau - Blessed is the moon for it shall return.

The rising Pacific population in Australia has encouraged the development of more Pacific cultural dance organisations in the country.

Jackson-Bourke sees this as an opportunity for Sau E Siva and many dance companies in Aotearoa to form partnerships and contribute to the cultural growth in Australia.

“We’ve had this going here for ages, and they’re just starting out; it’s all quite new to them. Which is awesome because it means that they want the type of work we do, they’re hungry for it. They are willing to come, watch, and support us going over there.”

Hunt says their collective approach to ancestral arts will be key to the longevity and success of siva Sāmoa.

“We’re just going to take who we are and what makes Sau E Siva unique, and hopefully we can inspire those in Australia to create their own work and create more ‘au sivas (dance groups) because there’s room for all of us.”

Running for an hour and 15 minutes without an interval, this family-friendly show is suitable for all ages. But audiences are advised that the performance includes references to the 2009 Sāmoa tsunami, as well as strobe and haze effects.

Due to the immersive nature of Manamea, there is a strict lockout policy once the show begins, so audiences should arrive 20 minutes early.

Final Aotearoa Show Dates - Māngere Arts Centre | Ngā Tohu o Uenuku

Friday 18 July - 8pm

Saturday 19 July - 1pm and 8pm

Thursday 24 July - 8pm

Friday 25 July - 8pm

Saturday 26 July - 1pm and 8pm

Opening and closing nights have sold out. Tickets are available here.