WHO WE ARE
Le Moana are an arts organisation based in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Le Moana is a vessel for the exchange of stories, concepts and ideas through the medium of live performance. The company was established as a pathway for cultural exchange and the development of storytelling by Pacific Artists.
ARTISTS
Li'amānaia Tupe Lualua MNZM
Artist/ Director
Tupe Lualua is a dreamer from Porirua who grew up with Siva before studying dance at Whitireia Performing Arts. She danced for the graduate company Taumata Whitireia before becoming a tutor at Whitireia Performing Arts from 2009-2012. In 2013, Tupe established Le Moana, creating original theatre works that toured Aotearoa and overseas, winning several awards on the festival circuit. In 2014, Le Moana established the Measina Festival providing a platform for Pacific heritage artists to showcase new works in Porirua and Wellington. In 2017, Le Moana started producing works for artist Tupua Tigafua, she facilitated PASI101 and SAMO103 at Victoria University of Wellington and in 2019 she was the Creative New Zealand Sāmoa Artist in Residence. From 2020 - 2022 she was the tutor for movement and creative practice at Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School and most recently appointed as a member of the New Zealand order of merit for services to the Arts. Tupe has collaborated with artists and arts organisations throughout Aotearoa since 2009 and continues to do so whilst creating and producing live works for Le Moana.
Tupua Tigafua
Artist
As the youngest of five children and proud father of four,
Tupua’s professional career has seen him dance internationally for some of Aotearoa’s creative powerhouses such as Black Grace, MAU and The New Zealand Dance Company. As a choreographer, Tupua received the creative New Zealand emerging artist award at the arts Pasifika awards in 2017. He has created dance works for Footnote Dance Company, UNITEC, Alofagia Le Opera by TAPA (feat Sole Mio) and Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School. Tupua’s first full length dance work Shel We, premiered at the Measina Festival in Wellington, before touring to the Festival of Cultures, Kia Mau festival, Hawkes Bay Arts Festival, Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival, Pacific Dance Festival and the BIBU biennial in Helsingborg, Sweden. His successive work Ciggy Butts In The Sand was created in collaboration with award-winning composer David Long (The Muttonbirds, The Hobbit) and saw Tupua win the Best Choreography award at the Wellington Theatre Awards in 2022. His most recent work 14 Malone Road, premiered at the Measina Festival in 2023 and that same year, he created choreography for theatre works The Savage Coloniser Show by Tusiata Avia and O Le Pepelo, Le Gaoi Ma Le Pala’ai by IKenSo Productions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
