Tau Malolo Ha Niue: Empowering the next generation of Niueans

When Niue creative Esa-Jayne Peika noticed that younger generations of New Zealand-born Niueans were losing touch with Vagahau Niue, she decided to take action.

In 2019, Peika founded Tau Malolo Ha Niue, an Auckland-based cultural group that uses Lologo Niue (song) and koli Niue (dance) to strengthen language, identity, and connections among tau fuata (Niuean youth).

“I saw that tau fuata Niue here in New Zealand did not have the same upbringing,” Peika says in an interview on Island Time.

“They didn’t know the same songs, how to dance, the way I did growing up. I saw that gap in our community and that’s the reason I started the group.”

The name Tau Malolo Ha Niue translates to “the strength of Niue”. Peika says it reflects the shared belief that the future of Niue culture and language rests with young people.

“The strength of our language and our culture is always in the next generation. Hence, why in my group we start from five years old.”

What began as an all-female group has since become co-ed, uniting young Niueans from around the Tāmaki Makaurau region who are eager to reconnect with their roots.

Drawing on her background in classical composition, arts, and anthropology from the University of Auckland|Waipapa Taumata Rau, Peika creates performances that blend creativity with cultural purpose. She is also dedicated to reviving familiar village anthems.

“The items that I pick are specifically chosen so that they can sing them outside the group,” she says. “For example, when you have cultural events, funerals, celebratory events, there are always common songs that we hear, but they might not know them.

Watch Esa-Jayne Peika's full interview below

“What we think is common is not common for them. So that's what I teach - new and old Lologo Niue and koli Niue so they are confident enough to sing along with their grandparents.”

Since its formation, Tau Malolo Ha Niue has grown to around 50 consistent members, ranging from ages five to their 20s.

Peika organises the members into age-appropriate groups: Tau Tama for girls aged five to six, Tau Tiale for those aged eight to 13, and Tau Āfine for teenagers aged 14 and older. All the boys are grouped together in Tau Toa.

She says working with each age group offers its own challenges and rewards. “It lets me focus on them specifically in terms of technique, singing and dancing, and then I bring them all together so they can realise that they're part of a bigger group.

“I have a younger group, people yawning, people asking when practice is nearly finished, and that's normal,” Peika laughs.

Tau Tama and Tau Afine groups of Tau Malolo Ha Niue at PMN. Photo/Facebook

“But the more that they come to practice, the more that they enjoy, I think that it's all worth it in the end. You just have to have a lot of energy. To be able to receive energy, you have to give that energy.”

Peika says community feedback has been positive and the longevity of Tau Malolo Ha Niue can be attributed to a mix of returning participants and new supporters who thrive in a family environment with strong community involvement.

“It’s so great to see families, cousins, brothers and sisters joining all together,” she says.

Esa-Jayne Peika. Photo/Facebook

Peika also extends her gratitude to her partner, committee members, and the band, all of whom contribute to the shared mission of language preservation, cultural sustainability, and youth engagement.

Peika, along with a small group of older girls, attended the Pule Fakamotu 2024 - Constitutional Day commemorations in Niue. Looking ahead, she hopes to take a larger group back to The Rock to celebrate their 10-year anniversary.

“It’s so rewarding for all this knowledge, learning about our culture, to actually be on our island and learning those things firsthand.”

Before that, Tau Malolo Ha Niue will hold a Gala Night on Friday, 24 October at 7pm at the Mount Albert Memorial Hall.

“My encouragement is for everyone to engage. It’s never too late to engage with your culture,” she says. “No skill is unuseful. You have the power to give back in any way, shape or form.”