This comprehensive account provides an in-depth historical overview of the New Zealand street dance scene from its global origins in the 1960s and 1970s to its vibrant contemporary landscape. It traces the arrival and unique adaptation of hip hop culture in Aotearoa, highlighting the profound influence of American media alongside the pivotal role of Māori and Pacific Islander communities in shaping distinct local styles and narratives. From the early "bop" era of the 1980s to the rise of Urban Pasifika in the 1990s and the global phenomenon of "Polyswagg" in the 2000s, New Zealand's street dance history is a testament to cultural fusion, resilience, and a continuous spirit of innovation and self-expression.
Global Rhythms, Local Roots: Origins and Evolution
Street dance emerged from urban environments, primarily in the United States, as a powerful form of self-expression and community building, with its roots firmly planted in early 1970s Bronx hip hop culture. The foundational elements—MCing, DJing, B-boying (Breaking), and Graffiti Art—were defined by DJ Kool Herc, who is widely credited with naming hip hop and establishing its core principles. Early hip hop dance styles, including uprock, breaking, locking, roboting, boogaloo, and popping, developed from the late 1960s, influenced by figures like James Brown and platforms such as Soul Train.
In New Zealand, the dance landscape of the 1960s and 1970s was already shifting. The arrival of dances like the Twist in 1961 marked a move away from formal partner dancing towards more individual and self-directed styles. Youth dance clubs proliferated, and television shows like C'mon and Happen Inn rapidly disseminated new moves, creating a receptive environment for the arrival of street dance.
The introduction of hip hop to New Zealand was not a passive reception but an active process of adaptation. While American media played a significant role, direct kinship connections, particularly from American Samoa, were crucial in transmitting these dance forms. This unique cultural exchange led to local adaptations, such as the term "bopping" (a Samoan pronunciation of "popping") being used broadly to refer to breaking, popping, and locking. For Māori and Pacific Islander youth, street dance became a powerful avenue for identity formation and recognition, offering a "genuine activity" that fostered unity, pride, and self-expression.
Key Events and Cultural Anchors
1984 Bop Olympics and Shazam Bop: These events laid the foundation for public dance competitions in New Zealand, marking the formal establishment of competitive street dance culture.
Hip Hop International, World of Dance, Body Rock: These international platforms became stages where New Zealand talent consistently excels globally, establishing the country's reputation in the international dance community.
Community Empowerment: Organizations like Krump Klub NZ and The Palace continue to foster new waves of talent, creating sustainable pathways for emerging dancers.
Academic Interest: Research like Phoebe J. Smith's thesis and films such as Hip Hop-eration underscore the art's social and generational impact, providing scholarly perspective on the cultural phenomenon.
Timeline of Key Developments
1960s-1970s: Global Genesis and Early Influences
The foundational elements of street dance emerged from specific socio-economic conditions in the United States, marked by social unrest, crime, and the need for expressive outlets.
Late 1960s/Early 1970s: Outlaw gangs engaged in "war dances" that laid the competitive foundation for b-boying, serving as non-violent surrogates for inter-gang confrontations
Early 1970s (The Bronx): B-boying (Breaking) originated, evolving from forms like 'rocking', 'up-rocking', and 'the outlaw'. DJ Kool Herc named hip hop and defined its four elements
1970s (Los Angeles): Waacking emerged from LGBTQ+ clubs, heavily influenced by disco and funk music
Late 1970s-Early 1980s (Chicago/New York): House dance originated from underground clubs
1980s: The Arrival and Establishment in New Zealand
The 1980s saw the definitive arrival of hip hop culture in New Zealand, primarily through breakdancing, which quickly gained local traction.
Early 1980s: The first significant wave of hip hop influence arrived, facilitated by American media (The Warriors, Flashdance, Beat Street) and direct kinship connections from American Samoa via Western Samoa
1980s (Wellington): K.O.S.-163/Kosmo Faalogo, after visiting Los Angeles, introduced "popping" to Wellington, forming early crews like Chain Reaction and Twilite Thrillz
1984: Joe Moana's cameo dance segments in the Pātea Māori Club's "Poi E" music video marked the first time New Zealanders widely viewed hip hop dance elements integrated with local recording, setting a precedent for cultural hybridization
1985: The televised "Shazam Bop Competition" became a national competition, increasing national exposure for breaking and popping
1985: "Street Action Aotearoa" book by Mark Scott and Peter Black was published, documenting the local street dance scene
1985: Upper Hutt Posse was formed by Dean Hapeta (Te Kupu) and DLT, becoming a progenitor of NZ hip hop music, blending hip hop and reggae
1986: The first MC competition was held in Taita, formalizing local hip hop elements
1988: Upper Hutt Posse released "E Tu," New Zealand's first bilingual rap song and pure hip hop single, fusing Māori culture and addressing socio-political issues
1980s: Hip hop music and street dance scenes thrived in South & West Auckland, with groups like Voodoo Rhyme Syndicate gaining prominence
1990s: Maturation, Urban Pasifika, and Diversification
The 1990s saw New Zealand hip hop mature, developing a distinct local identity and achieving commercial success.
Early 1990s: House music became central to nightlife across Aotearoa, with local artists like Chain Gang releasing charting singles
1994: Sisters Underground released "In the Neighbourhood," the first Urban Pasifika top ten single from the "Proud" album, a compilation that defined the genre by merging hip-hop beats with acoustic instruments
1995: OMC, with Pauly Fuemana as a key figure, achieved global success with "How Bizarre," cementing Auckland's reputation as a major cultural center
1999: Phillip Fuemana founded Urban Pacifika Records, further developing the Urban Pasifika sound with a compilation album, Pioneers of a Pacifikan Frontier
Early 2000s: Krump's Emergence and Global Impact
The early 2000s marked the arrival of Krump and the rise of New Zealand choreographers on the international stage.
Early 2000s: Krump was inspired by "Clowning" and developed in South Los Angeles as a non-violent outlet for raw emotions
Circa 2005: Krump emerged in Australia and Aotearoa, gaining popularity through screenings of David LaChapelle's documentary Rize, Krump DVDs, and the rise of YouTube and social media platforms. A high percentage of early practitioners were of Polynesian heritage
2005: YouTube was created, becoming a significant tool for information sharing in the global hip hop dance community
2009: Parris Goebel's family founded The Palace Dance Studio in Auckland, which became a powerhouse for producing internationally successful dance crews
2010s: Continued Evolution and International Acclaim
This decade saw New Zealand dancers and crews achieve unprecedented international success, solidifying the country's global footprint in street dance.
2011-2013: The Royal Family Dance Crew, led by Parris Goebel, dominated the dance scene by winning the Mega-Crew division at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships three times consecutively
2013: Red Bull BC One Auckland Cypher featuring renowned breaker Roxrite took place
22 September 2014: The New Zealand documentary Hip Hop-eration, showcasing an elderly dance troupe competing in Las Vegas, opened theatrically
2018: Ken Vaega (Lightsaber) became the first New Zealander to win the Krump World Championships
Key Dance Styles in New Zealand
The New Zealand dance community embraces a diverse array of street styles, alongside choreography drawing from multiple influences:
Hip Hop: Originating in New York City in the 1970s, defined by energetic movements like Bounces, Rock, Skate, and Roll, with deep historical and social roots within African American and Latino communities. Numerous crews specialize in hip hop, including The Royal Family, Identity Dance Company, and Projekt Team.
Breaking (B-boying/B-girling): This foundational style involves upright dance (up-rocks/top-rocks), drops to the ground, ground movement (down-rocking/footwork), acrobatic power-moves, and freezes. Prominent breaking crews include Common Ground, Instance Movement, and Loko Motion.
Popping: A funk style developed in Los Angeles in the late 1960s, characterized by rapid contractions and relaxations of muscles to create jerking movements (pops or hits). Lawrence Liew is a key figure in building Auckland's popping scene, while Mase Boog from Wellington is a seasoned popping and boogaloo specialist.
Locking: Another fun and funky style from Los Angeles (late 1960s), combining fast movements with freezing in improvisational positions. Mele Ta'e'iloa is dedicated to this craft.
Krumping: Popularized in the US, this street dance is free, expressive, exaggerated, and highly energetic, often isolating body parts. It emerged in Australia and Aotearoa around 2005, gaining popularity through documentaries like Rize. Many early practitioners were of Polynesian heritage. Key figures include Ennaolla Paea-Vaega (Watchmin), Ken Vaega (Lightsaber), and Joash Fahitua.
Waacking: An expressive, free, and musical dance characterized by arm movements and posing, with a strong emphasis on musicality and improvised performance. It originated from LGBTQ+ clubs in Los Angeles during the 1970s. Jaydess Nand founded "The Jaackers," New Zealand's first waacking company.
House Dance: Originated in Chicago in the 1980s from the underground house music scene, known for unique footwork and body isolations. Jazmine Cox introduced House Dance NZ, with Angelika Zueva and Jessie Vlasich also trained in house dance.
Vogue: The underground vogue scene is developing in New Zealand, with a focus on creating authentic spaces for Pacific people. The Fwag ball is a significant event in this community. Gabriel Halatoa is a founding member of the Auckland Vogue House Coven-Carangi.
Leaders and Influencers: Aotearoa's Foundation
New Zealand's dance scene is built upon the contributions of numerous influential figures who have shaped both local and international landscapes:
Pioneering Leaders and Hip Hop Founders
Kosmo Faalogo (K.O.S.-163): Early pioneer who introduced popping to Wellington after visiting Los Angeles, forming foundational crews like Chain Reaction and Twilite Thrillz.
Petelo: Among the early influential figures in establishing New Zealand's hip hop foundation.
Joe Moana: Featured in the groundbreaking "Poi E" music video, marking the first mainstream integration of hip hop dance with local Māori recording.
Dean Hapeta (Te Kupu) and Upper Hutt Posse: Co-founder of Upper Hutt Posse, which released "E Tu," New Zealand's first bilingual rap song, blending Māori culture with hip hop.
DLT (Darryl Thomson): DJ for Upper Hutt Posse who launched the influential "True Skool Hip Hop Show" in Auckland, promoting hip hop culture on radio.
Phillip and Pauly Fuemana (OMC, Urban Pacifika Records): Achieved global success with "How Bizarre" and founded Urban Pacifika Records, developing the Urban Pasifika sound.
Contemporary Leaders and World Champions
Taupuhi Toki (Bboy Papa Smurf): A pivotal figure in New Zealand's hip hop scene for over 20 years, beginning his journey in 1987. He founded Instance Movement (ISM) breaking crew in Auckland in 1999, winning the first Raw Stylez national event. From 2001, he toured globally for six years with Torotoro and Mika Haka. Currently Co-Director of NZ Street Talk (co-founded with Dianamite in 2015), he continues to judge major events like Hip Hop International New Zealand and Battle Of The Year while teaching breaking to young people across New Zealand.
Dianamite (Diana Hu): Significant figure in New Zealand's hip hop and street dance community, particularly connected to popping, locking, and breaking styles. As co-founder of Street Talk with Taupuhi Toki and contact for the Auckland Popping Community (APC), she serves as a judge for Auckland Council's Stand Up Stand Out youth competition and supports dancers at major events like the Oceania Breaking Championships.
Mika Haka: Famous for his boundary-bursting performances and role as a lifestyle liberationist, Mika has used his brand to create social change. He works with young people, including those "at risk," teaching them singing, dancing, acting, and self-management, transforming them into "emerging leaders." His career spans from the 1980s with the Coloured Crew Lockers to the creation of Torotoro in the early 2000s, and now under the Mika Haka Foundation. He has performed internationally, including opening for Grace Jones in New York City and entertaining Prince Charles, and appeared in the Oscar-winning film The Piano.
Parris Goebel and The Royal Family: World-renowned New Zealand-born choreographer and dancer of Samoan, Chinese, and Scottish descent. Her family founded The Palace Dance Studio in Auckland in 2009, which became a powerhouse for producing internationally successful dance crews. Goebel is known for creating the "Polyswagg" style. Her crews, particularly The Royal Family, have dominated the World Hip Hop Dance Championships, winning the Mega-Crew division three times consecutively from 2011-2013.
Ken Vaega (Lightsaber): Became the first New Zealander to win the Krump World Championships in 2018. He started his own Krump fam, Lighthouse, which later combined with Ennaolla's Watchmin World to form the LH Combine collective. He runs the Krump Club of Ōtara, providing a safe space for kids to learn Krump and values.
Music Artists and Cultural Influencers
Sisters Underground, Che Fu, King Kapisi, Savage, Moana and the Moahunters, Nesian Mystik: Popular artists who incorporated hip hop music into their styles and contributed to the Urban Pasifika movement.
Major Events and Competitions
New Zealand hosts numerous dance events, from international qualifiers to local community showcases:
World Hip Hop Dance Championships (HHI): Often referred to as "the Olympics of dance," New Zealand crews consistently achieve top placements in Las Vegas. Notable achievements include IDCO's silver medal in 2014, The Bradas winning adult division in 2015 and 2016, and multiple recent successes by IDCO-affiliated crews including Swagganauts (second in Varsity 2022), I-Descendant (third in Adult 2022), and Yung ID (second in Junior Varsity Mega Crew 2022).
Battle of the Year / Oceania Breaking Championships: One of the world's biggest breakdance tournaments, holding Pacific qualifiers to encourage dancers in the region. The 2023 Oceania Breaking Championships Olympic qualifier saw Australia's Raygun win the female breaker category, sparking debate about representation and skill level of Oceania breakers and highlighting issues of sponsorship and community support for NZ B-girls.
Red Bull Dance Your Style: This unique all-styles dance competition debuted in New Zealand in 2023, hosted by Kiwi dance icon Lance Savali, with John 'Happy Feet' Vaifale crowned national champion, excelling with his unique blend of Polynesian and hip-hop style.
Street Talk Events: This organisation runs Hip Hop summits and events, aiming to bring rangatahi (youth) and whānau (family) together through hip hop's art, dance, and music elements. It includes educational workshops on MCing, DJing, graffiti art, and dance styles like breaking and popping, as well as live public battles. The motto "Where faith meets hip hop culture" reflects the organization's values.
Tempo Dance Festival: An annual festival that showcases professional performers and companies and offers public workshops. Projekt Team's Ko Au Mini Festival and TECHnique events have been featured at Tempo.
Boppalympics: First held at Mt Smart Stadium in 1984, Boppalympics 2.0 features battles in seven breaking categories and invitational open-style dance crew battles.
Other Significant Events: YouDance (youth dance festival), The Blank Kanvas NZ, Short + Sweet Dance Festival, K-pop Academy/Party, Christmas in the Park, and various crew-specific showcases and battles.
Educational and Community Initiatives
Creatives in Schools Programme: This initiative provides funding for teachers and creatives to collaborate, offering engaging learning experiences for students, especially in hip hop and street styles, emphasising cultural and historical knowledge alongside practical movement.
Mika Haka Foundation: A charity committed to keeping young New Zealanders active and healthy through physical culture and performing arts, working with "at risk" youth and transforming them into "emerging leaders" through events like Stand Up Stand Out and Projekt Feel Good.
NZ Street Talk: Organization running Hip Hop summits and events, aiming to bring rangatahi and whānau together through hip hop's art, dance, and music elements, including educational workshops on MCing, DJing, graffiti art, and various dance styles.
Various Studios and Academies: Including The Palace Dance Studio, En Beat Dance Academy, Step Out Dance Company, and numerous others providing comprehensive training in street styles and commercial forms.
Themes and Cultural Contributions
The New Zealand dance scene is characterized by several important themes:
Community Building: Groups like Projekt Team, Krump Club of Ōtara, and various crews provide safe spaces and opportunities for dancers, fostering family-like connections that extend beyond individual achievement.
Cultural Identity and Expression: Dancers, especially Māori and Pacific Islanders, use dance as a vehicle to express heritage and stories, fusing traditional elements with contemporary street styles. This is evident in the development of "Polyswagg" and Urban Pasifika movements.
Youth Empowerment: Organizations focus on transforming young people into "emerging leaders," with events like Stand Up Stand Out and Projekt Feel Good providing pathways and inspiration for young dancers.
Education and Mentorship: Experienced dancers consistently become teachers and mentors, passing on knowledge and skills to the next generation while emphasizing the history and cultural context of dance forms, ensuring preservation and evolution of street dance culture.
Resilience and Innovation: The community navigates challenges such as limited funding while continuously innovating and adapting global influences to create distinctly New Zealand expressions.
Challenges and Future Directions
Despite its vibrancy and international success, the New Zealand dance scene faces ongoing challenges:
Funding and Resources: Obtaining sufficient funding for training, competitions, and infrastructure development remains a significant barrier, with many dancers self-funding international competition trips.
Visibility and Professionalization: Street dance often remains "underground" in New Zealand, making it difficult for dancers to earn sustainable livelihoods despite international achievements.
Representation and Support: There's recognized need for greater investment and infrastructure to support New Zealand dancers, particularly B-girls, to flourish on the world stage, as highlighted by recent Olympic qualification discussions.
Maintaining Cultural Authenticity: Balancing commercial success with cultural integrity and community values remains an ongoing consideration as the scene continues to evolve.
Conclusion
The New Zealand dance scene stands as a testament to the power of movement as cultural expression, characterized by dynamic artistry, strong community bonds, and deep commitment to cultural identity and youth development. From its roots in global hip hop culture to its unique local adaptations influenced by Māori and Pacific Islander heritage, the scene continues to push boundaries on both national and international stages.
Through the dedication of pioneering figures like Taupuhi Toki and Mika Haka, the creativity of world-class choreographers like Parris Goebel, and the passion of emerging artists across all styles, New Zealand's dance community remains a vibrant force in the global street dance landscape. The journey from the early "bop" competitions of the 1980s to today's internationally recognized crews demonstrates the enduring power of cultural fusion, resilience, and the continuous spirit of innovation that defines New Zealand's unique contribution to world dance culture.
This rich history continues to evolve, fostering connection, empowerment, and artistic excellence across diverse communities while maintaining its foundational commitment to authenticity, community building, and cultural expression.