‘For our culture, for the future’: Cook Islands dance goes West

An award-winning Cook Islands dancer, choreographer and costume designer has expanded his popular dance classes from South to West Auckland.

Director of Hupa Hupa with Tautape (HWT), Rahui Tautape Samson, runs youth Cook Island dance classes for ages 5 to 15, aiming to connect the next generation to their culture.

Speaking to Ernestina Bonsu Maro on PMN Cook Islands, Samson said he’s seen how Cook Island’s culture can empower many things, including confidence.

"In our culture, we have a lot of singing, dancing and acting. Through culture, it helps you learn more about things that you've thought you'd never be good at.

"I know a lot of youngsters who could never get up and say two words but through Cook Islands reo Māori, they were able to stand up and be tukatau (able) and confident to speak in front of our people.”

Samson has taught Cook Islands dance since 2008 and has grown his audience to over 600,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok, with his most popular video garnering over 34 million views and 5 million likes.

"It's a win-win in all areas of life. You get to learn a lot of life lessons through culture which is awesome as a tutor because I get to see these skills developing in each of our tamariki.”

Samson said the HWT classes have grown, with 157 signups at last week’s South Auckland registration day.

HWT has now expanded to West Auckland, where those interested can register in person tonight at 6 PM at the Pacifica Arts Centre in Henderson.

Meanwhile, South Auckland registrations close tomorrow, located at the Polynesian Centre in Māngere, between 5-8 PM.

"Just trying to build a sense of our culture inside their hearts so that they enjoy doing our culture while they're young and they'll eventually find a passion for it,” Samson said.

Last term featured the inaugural showcase for HWT, where the tamariki tāma'ine (young females) class aged 5 to 12 took the stage, with classes for tamariki tamāora (young males) also on offer.

"I can see the passion and how eager our tamariki are,” said Samson

"Being brought up in our Cook Islands reo Māori since I was young - this is something I've always been destined and prepared myself mentally for.

"To teach our culture from learning from my dad, [who passed] the baton [to] me and hopefully passing it on to our next generation who are learning now."

Watch the full interview via PMN Cook Islands FB below:

Samson also portrays his talent in music and comedy as a member of the Samson Squad and Katakata with ME.