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Northland’s first dedicated Siva Afi initiative is gaining momentum, with a local facilitator hoping to inspire more young people to connect with their culture through the traditional Samoan fire knife dance.
Siva Afi, is a traditional Samoan art form. Originally performed by warriors using the nifo oti, a traditional Samoan hooked knife or club, the performance recreates battle movements, with dancers throwing or spinning a flaming knife or wooden stick to the beat of a drum.
Following another successful Siva Afi Festival in Auckland earlier this year, the cultural practice is beginning to take hold in Northland, thanks to Taonga o Te Moana founder and director Finemoka Fotuhetule and Siva Afi head tutor Tim Noyce.
“For many of our youth being New Zealand-born with Pacific heritage, Siva Afi is a ‘calling’ that connects them to their ancestors and reinforces their identity as Pasifika,” Fotuhetule says.
Fotuhetule was inspired to bring the initiative north after seeing Moemoana Safa’ato’a Schwenke Siva Afi’s performance at a Miss Samoa pageant.
“That was the first time my daughters and I had witnessed a female warrior performing Siva Afi. It was powerful, energetic, exhilarating to watch, high-intensity and culturally significant. We were amazed,” she says.
Fotuhetule also cites the talent of Emily Pritchard, winner of the 2026 National Open Women’s Championship, as a key inspiration. Pritchard holds multiple championship titles internationally and is ranked third in the world at just 15 years old.
“Emily emulates the power of youth, skill and cultural pride through her dedication and passion for Siva Afi, making her a great example for young Pacific girls forging their own destiny as an Ailao Afi warrior.”
Fotuhetule hopes others will have the same experience with the opportunity to learn the art form and gain a sense of strength and resilience in Northland.
“Opportunities to learn Siva Afi encourage our children, boys and girls, to be brave, disciplined and resilient, and mindful of cultural traditions and movements,” she says.
The group recently performed at the Waipū Easter Carnival, and Fotuhetule hopes the initiative will create further opportunities for young performers.
“Learning Siva Afi opens doors to national or international festivals, competitions and special events. Siva Afi not only provides opportunities to perform but also encourages entrepreneurship among young talent. We have already seen this growing in the Auckland region,” Fotuhetule says.
“We want to make this programme accessible to everyone within our region. Wherever you live in Kaipara or Bream Bay, we are keen to take this initiative where it’s needed most.”
Practices are held in Ruakākā every Wednesday at Bream Bay College during term time.
For more information, visit: facebook.com/TaongaOTeMoana
