The Pacific Dance Festival 2026 returns this June–July with its most ambitious programme yet — a vibrant, pan‑Moana season showcasing contemporary Pacific dance, culture, and creativity across Auckland and Kerikeri. Featuring artists from Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia, this year’s festival brings powerful new works, emerging voices, and intergenerational stories to the stage. Join us as we celebrate the future of Pacific arts in Aotearoa.
Experience a bold, future‑focused programme spanning Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. From powerful contemporary works to community workshops and a special Matariki performance in Te Tai Tokerau, the 2026 Pacific Dance Festival brings together artists, storytellers, and cultural leaders from across the Moana. Each event offers a unique window into Pacific identity, innovation, and creative expression — all grounded in the communities who shape the cultural heart of Aotearoa.
A powerful contemporary work honouring ʻUvean identity, ancestral memory, and the stories carried across generations. Justin Haiu brings a deeply personal and culturally grounded performance that invites audiences into the heart of Wallis & Futuna.
Aotearoa’s leading dance institutions present bold new Pacific works from emerging choreographers. This showcase highlights the next generation of Pacific talent, offering fresh perspectives, innovative movement, and vibrant storytelling from across the Moana.
Explosive contemporary dance from Wellington’s Indigenous collective. The Circle brings raw energy, bold choreography, and powerful cultural narratives to the stage, offering an unforgettable experience of Indigenous excellence.
Join us on 12 July in Kerikeri for a special one-off Matariki season performance in Te Tai Tokerau.
