The women's street dance scene in New Zealand (Aotearoa) is a dynamic and evolving space, marked by significant contributions from female dancers, choreographers, and educators who are actively shaping the community's identity, fostering empowerment, and addressing historical challenges related to gender and cultural representation.
Prominent Female Figures and Their Contributions
Several women stand out as influential leaders and pioneers within the New Zealand street dance community:
• Mele Taeiloa: A pillar of the Projekt Team and a respected dance educator, Mele is the Head of Learning Area of Manurewa High School's Dance department. She advocates for Hip Hop and Street Dance culture, specialising in Locking, and has performed and battled internationally. Mele actively participates in community events and promotes self-recording for skill improvement.
• Rina Chae: Known as 'NZ's Queen of K-Pop,' Rina Chae is a leading choreographer, judge, and educator. She is the driving force behind "Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa," a festival dedicated to celebrating and empowering women and girls in Hip Hop culture. Rina is the Mother of Imperial House of Waacking (New Zealand chapter) and the Dance Liaison for Red Bull 'Dance Your Style' 2023. Her En Beat Dance Academy, co-founded with her husband Zed Nufable, focuses on foundational street styles, commercial forms, choreography, and K-Pop, creating pathways for younger dancers. Rina’s international experience includes working with artists like Beyoncé and Justin Bieber, and choreographing for K-Pop groups such as BoA and Monsta X. She aims to build community with women globally and encourage them to be "the star, the main force" in events.
• Seidah Tuaoi: An educator and creative, Seidah uniquely fuses Popping with her Samoan heritage (pulitasi), emphasising continuous learning and cultural sensitivity in her artistic process. She meticulously considers whether her fusion pieces appropriately represent the original styles and her culture, often consulting with others before releasing her work.
• Peggy Yao: Identified as a Vogue instructor with Candee Collective, Peggy specialises in Vogue Femme, Vogue Old Way, and Waacking, bringing her personality and passion to competitions.
• Hayley Walters-Tekahika: Teaches Waacking at Prowl Productions contributing to accessibility in the scene.
• Heidi: A Vogue extraordinaire who actively showcases this style in competitions like Red Bull Dance Your Style NZ.
• Mosi: A dancer trained in traditional Tongan Tau'olunga and street style Krump, demonstrating how cultural heritage influences and integrates with street dance. She has over 20 years of Krump experience and 20 years in dance. She was awarded 'Oz female Krump' of the year in 2018 and 2019 and is known for nurturing female Krump dancers. She is also the creative director of FourWalls and champions authenticity, vulnerability, and self-worth in dance. Her experiences, along with other female Krumpers in Australia and Aotearoa, are explored in the "Session Queens" project, which delves into identity, expression, movement, and gender within the predominantly male Krump subculture.
Engagement with Diverse Dance Styles
Women in the New Zealand street dance scene engage with and contribute to a wide array of styles, often challenging gender norms and fostering cultural integration:
• Krump: While historically male-dominated and often perceived as "angry" or "aggressive" due to its powerful energy and presence, female Krumpers are redefining its perception. "Session Queens" highlights how women view Krump movement as genderless, arguing that strength and power are equally feminine qualities. Krump is seen as a vital outlet for self-expression and emotional release, providing a safe space for dancers to share raw emotions.
• Breaking (B-boying/B-girling): Originating from Black and Latin communities in the Bronx as a core element of Hip Hop culture, Breaking has female pioneers like Beta Rawk, an award-winning b-girl known for her unmatchable technique and efforts to empower women through Hip Hop. Early street dance films like Stan Lathan's Beat Street and Joel Silberg's Breakin' showcased female b-girls and poppers, reflecting women's presence on the dance floor despite being fewer in number than men.
• Locking: With foundations rooted in the Civil Rights movement, Locking has female pioneers such as Fredie Maxie and Arnetta Johnson ("Netta Bug"), who were early Soul Train dancers and instrumental in forming the first female and unisex Locking groups.
• Waacking and Vogue: These styles, which often involve dramatic poses, hand gestures, and fierce expressions, are actively taught and performed by women in NZ, such as Rina Chae, Peggy Yao, and Hayley Walters-Tekahika. Vogue, originating from Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ communities, is explicitly noted as a declaration of identity, pride, and flamboyance .
• Hip Hop Freestyle: Female dancers, like Mele Taeiloa and others within Projekt Team, are deeply involved in Hip Hop Freestyle, contributing to battles, workshops, and community events. The community values continuous learning and understanding the history and cultural roots of these styles.
Challenges and Empowerment within the Community
Despite the vibrant scene, women in New Zealand street dance, much like their global counterparts, face ongoing challenges and actively work towards greater empowerment:
• Gender Stereotypes: Street dance, particularly styles like Krump and Breaking, is often perceived as masculine due to its physicality. Female dancers often encounter difficulties in gaining respect or embodying more feminine qualities within these male-dominated environments. However, many female Krumpers argue that the movement itself is genderless, and qualities like strength and power are not exclusive to masculinity.
• Lack of Visibility and Representation: Historically, media coverage has often overlooked female voices in Hip Hop, focusing predominantly on men. Initiatives like "Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa" and projects like "Session Queens" directly address this by creating platforms to celebrate, empower, and highlight the narratives of women in the scene.
Community Building and Educational Initiatives
Female leaders are instrumental in shaping the educational landscape and community ethos:
• Safe Spaces and Connection: Events like Projekt Feel Good, co-organised by Mele Tapueluelu, aim to provide a safe and positive environment for all, especially youth, to connect and express themselves through Hip Hop and street dance, moving away from a purely competitive mindset.
• Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: The importance of mentorship and "each one teach one" is a recurring theme. Leaders like Rina Chae are passionate about mentoring female dancers to become professionals. The community encourages asking for help and sharing knowledge, highlighting a "Kiwi way" of generosity with information.
• Holistic Development: There is an emphasis on dancers becoming well-rounded, exploring various styles beyond their specialisation to deepen their understanding and creativity. This proactive learning from different genres and cultures is seen as crucial for personal growth and skill development.
• Valuing Authenticity and History: The New Zealand street dance scene strongly advocates for learning the foundations, history, and cultural roots of each style from local OGs and international pioneers. The sentiment is that true growth comes from understanding where the dance originated, honouring its creators, and leading by example with humility and integrity.
The women in New Zealand's street dance scene are actively working to ensure the community is inclusive, respectful, and deeply rooted in the authentic history and values of Hip Hop and street dance culture, fostering not just skilled dancers but also culturally conscious individuals.