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Every July, the islands of French Polynesia erupt into a celebration of colour, rhythm, and ancestral pride known as the Heiva festival. What began centuries…

Long before the first drum sounds and competitors line up, Heiva stage construction is already underway in an empty venue. Crews mark the footprint, unload…

A Heiva festival is a lively celebration of Tahitian dance, drumming, singing, costume, craft and community. For spectators travelling from Australia, the…

The Polynesian diaspora in Australia has grown steadily over the past two decades, with substantial communities in western Sydney, south-east Brisbane, and…

Across Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth, interest in ori Tahiti has been quietly exploding. Local Pasifika clubs run weekly classes,…

The first sounds of a Heiva opening ceremony travel further than most spectators realise. Before the bright costumes or the polished choreography, the evening…

The Heiva festival stands as one of the Pacific's most significant cultural celebrations, with roots reaching back to pre-contact Tahiti. Each year, this…

Heiva Honolulu 2023 brought the energy of French Polynesia to the Pacific, with drummers, dancers, musicians, artists and supporters gathering around a shared…

The Heiva competition day is more than a scheduled performance; it is a living expression of Tahitian heritage that unfolds across early morning arrivals and…

The Heiva Arts Pavilion opens its doors each festival season with a programme designed to pull visitors away from the main stage and into the slower, more…