A Rapa Nui cultural dance group from Easter Island arrives in Tauranga on Friday, offering a rare opportunity to see them perform or to participate in their ballet workshop this weekend.

One of the organisers of Tauranga’s first Latin American Spring Festival – on September 20 – Yasna Concha, of Tauranga's Kunza dance group, have worked with the Chilean embassy in Wellington and Marlborough Cultural Centre to bring the group to the Bay of Plenty.

“Rapa Nui is one of the most remote places in the world,” said Concha.

“Rapa Nui is one of the most remote places in the world,” said Tauranga’s Latin American Spring Festival spokesperson Yasna Concha.

Easter Island is a special territory of Chile in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, at the southeastern-most point of the Polynesian Triangle, Concha said.

The Polynesian triangle is a region with three island groups at its corners: Hawaii (Hawaiʻi), Easter Island (Rapa Nui) and New Zealand (Aotearoa).

“So, they are Chileans, living on an island in the Pacific, and they have a lot of connection with Māori culture,” said Concha.

“Because we [Chileans] celebrate Chilean Independence Day on September 18, the embassy is bringing the group to NZ, so I put up my hand to get them to Tauranga.”

Concha said Rapa Nui group would arrive September 19, and stay at Wairoa Marae for a cultural exchange.

“On Friday, local Latin American and Kunza dance group families will attend a powhiri at the marae to welcome the Rapa Nui group, called Puku Rangi Tea.

“On Saturday, September 20, the Rapa Nui group will accompany Kunza members to perform in Tauranga’s first Latin American Spring Festival at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre (QEYC) at Memorial Park for one hour.”

On Sunday, September 21, Concha had organised a free open community workshop with Puku Rangi Tea at QEYC from 9.30am-10.45am, where participants can “learn the beauty and connect with the magic” of their Rapa Nui cultural ballet.

The Rapa Nui (Easter Island) cultural dance group, called Puku Rangi Tea, will host a free open community workshop at QEYC from 9.30am-10.45am Sunday where participants can “learn the beauty and connect with the magic” of their cultural ballet. Photo / Supplied

“Puku Rangi Tea will show and teach their cultural ballet dances, with the aim of bringing Rapa Nui culture closer to the diverse communities of Tauranga through their music, dance and expressions,” said Concha.

“We’d like Māori and Pacific Island people to come along – because this is the first time a group from Rapa Nui has come to Tauranga, and we don’t know when we will have such a group back in Tauranga. It’s very unusual.”

For two years, Concha said Tauranga’s Chilean community had held a La Fonda festival, a traditional celebration for Chilean Independence Day in September.

“The La Fonda Festival is for Chilean people to celebrate our independence day. But this year the festival has changed– and is open to all people of the Latin American countries [in Tauranga], so they all have the opportunity to celebrate.”

Most Latin American countries celebrate independence days around the same time –September-October, said Concha, who added the festival would also welcome the arrival of spring – and Kiwis are welcome to attend to learn and celebrate Latin American cultures too.

Concha said the festival is a full day – from 11am to 11pm – packed with cultural music, food and colourful dances from Latin America.

Last year’s La Fonda Festival in Tauranga attracted 900 people. Photo / Supplied

“This is a family-friendly event, with special traditional games, prizes and activities for all ages to enjoy – we’ll have something for everyone, and kids are welcome to stay and celebrate with us until 8pm,” Concha said.

“Most of the festival will take place indoors, so you can enjoy all the fun regardless of the weather. There will be live music, DJs, a kids’ area, and many activities on offer.

“Traditional Latin games include what Kiwis know as musical chairs, tug-of-war and sack races,” said Concha, plus a few Latin American games she can’t quite explain in English.

From 8pm onwards the event turns into an adult-only dance party with a live band.

Tauranga’s Kunza dance group is one of many to perform during the day, showcasing music and dance from all over Latin America – including Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

Delicious ethnic food will be oozing – think empanadas, churros, Latino foods, Argentinian barbecue, Brazilian pastries, meat dishes from Uruguay and more.

Concha said the festival would also have market stands featuring crafts, soaps, jewellery and clothing of Latin American styles, plus stalls to learn about Latin American countries and cultures.

Last year’s La Fonda Festival in Tauranga was to celebrate Chile’s Independence Day. Photo / Supplied

Last year more than 900 people attended the La Fonda festival in Tauranga. “We expect at least 1100 people at the Latin American Spring Festival this year,” Concha said.

She said many Latin Americans live in the Bay of Plenty, and some will travel from Rotorua and as far away as Auckland for the festival. Plus, she invites Kiwis and all cultures to attend.

“Yes, 100% we would like everyone to come along – so they can see and share our life for one day.”

Tickets to Tauranga’s first Latin American Spring Festival this Saturday, September 20, from 11am-11.30pm at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre at Memorial Park, can be purchased for $20 plus a booking fee – click here.