Pioneering Figures and Collectives in New Zealand Waacking

The Genesis of Waacking: From Los Angeles to Aotearoa's Shores

To understand waacking in New Zealand, one must first appreciate its foundational roots. This expressive dance style originated in Los Angeles during the 1970s, pioneered by the Black and Spanish gay community. Born amidst disco culture, protests, and oppression, waacking is characterised by dramatic arm movements and posing, emphasising musicality, improvisation, and a strong sense of individuality. Indeed, it draws inspiration from the glamour of 1940s and 1950s female movie stars, manifesting through feminine style and hand gestures. While often confused with locking due to their parallel development, waacking maintains its unique identity, with "punking" being identified as its "straight person's version".

The spirit of waacking, a form of escapism and free expression for its originators, found fertile ground in New Zealand. Although the exact initial transmission to Aotearoa is not explicitly detailed for waacking alone, the broader hip hop dance scene in New Zealand began its development with bboying, reportedly arriving via Western Samoa and being embraced by young Māori and Polynesian males as early as the 1980s. Commercial stimuli, such as music videos and American television shows, played a significant role in inspiring aspiring dancers. This established a cultural precedent for adopting international street dance forms, setting the stage for waacking's later emergence.

Pioneering Figures and Collectives in New Zealand Waacking

The landscape of New Zealand waacking is defined by several instrumental figures and the collectives they formed or were part of, each contributing to its growth and visibility:

The Jaackers stands as a foundational pillar, notably established as New Zealand's first waacking company in 2015, based in Auckland. The creative force behind this pioneering collective is Jaydess Nand. Jaydess Nand's contributions are manifold:

• She is the founder and director of significant New Zealand battle events like 'Waack It Out' and 'Whats Yo Style'.
• Her influence extends internationally, as she is also a co-founder and director of 'Waack Is Baack,' one of New York City's largest waacking events.
• Jaydess Nand received training in Australia, Los Angeles, and New York City, learning directly from esteemed figures such as OG and Waacking Father Tyrone 'The Bone' Proctor and Princess Lockeroo.
• Her competitive prowess is evident in her titles as the Womens Performance champion from Take The Throne Vogue Ball 2015 NZ and the Waacking champion from Unleash The Beast 2015 Australia.
• Other members of The Jaackers include Hayley Walters-Tekahika, Layla, Queenie, and Lara.

Candee Collective (formerly Street Candee Dance Company) has been another paramount entity in the propagation of waacking in New Zealand.

• Founded in 2014 as Street Candee Dance Company by Rina Chae, the collective has since diversified its talents, performing across television, stage, and community events.
• Candee Collective is renowned as an advocate for feminine empowerment and showcases "unapologetic individual excellence, sensual maturity, and the essence of culture" through its mastery of waacking and voguing.
• Several key members of Candee Collective specialise in waacking, including:
  • Rina Chae: The director and founder, she specialises in waacking, among other styles. Rina Chae is a high-profile choreographer and an advocate for female empowerment, having mentored Angelika Zueva. She is also recognised as 'NZ's Queen of K-Pop'.
  • Angelika "Gel" Zueva: An original member of the Street Candee Dance Company, she also specialises in waacking. Zueva performed as a lead dancer at major events such as Coca Cola Christmas in the Park and New Zealand's premier cabaret show, Encore.
  • Sarah Reece: A member of Candee Collective, she specialises in waacking.
  • Heidi Chen: Another Candee Collective member, she specialises in waacking. Heidi Chen's journey began with classical training at the Chinese Military Academy of Arts in Beijing before transitioning to Western street styles.
  • Peggy Yao: A Candee Collective member, specialising in waacking and vogue.
  • Earl De Castro: A Candee Collective member specialising in waacking and vogue. Earl De Castro has performed at events such as the NZ Breakers Half Time and Christmas in The Park.
  • David Fung: Part of Candee Collective, specialising in waacking.
  • Timothy "TJ" Romero: Also a Candee Collective member, specialising in waacking and vogue. TJ Romero has also choreographed for various showcases.
  • Eramiha "Hina" Abrams: A Candee Collective member specialising in waacking and vogue.
• Jonathan Leung has performed with Street Candee at events like Blueprint, Battlezone, Armageddon, and K-Festival. Natasha Katavich and Emma-Kate Putnam are also noted as performing with Street Candee.

Imperial House of Waacking NZ (IHOW NZ) represents the New Zealand chapter of a global waacking house, with Rina Chae serving as its Mother. This affiliation underscores the direct lineage and authentic connection of New Zealand waacking to the international scene. IHOW NZ has achieved notable competitive success, winning 1st Place in the Team Division at World of Dance New Zealand 2024 and showcasing at the 2025 event. They have also showcased at Battlezone 2024.

Prowl Productions, founded by Hayley Walters-Tekahika (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Kahungunu) in 2022, is dedicated to creating and holding space for femme and street dance styles. Hayley, a waacking specialist and creative director, co-directed "CLUB WAACK" with Andrew Cornish. This show, which ran at Basement Theatre from September 12-16, 2023, pays homage to waacking through a queer Aotearoa lens, grounded in community and exploring the queer and People of Colour (POC) experience. Prowl Productions actively fosters an uplifting community movement by offering affordable open public classes, particularly inviting to POC and queer communities, aiming to decolonise "white systems and spaces through queer street dance".

Major Competitions, Battles, and Events

The evolution of waacking in New Zealand has been inextricably linked to various competitive and community-driven events:

Waack It Out is a key battle event series within New Zealand, directly supporting the waacking scene. Jaydess Nand is notably its founder and director. The sources detail various rounds of this event, including:

• Waacking Prelim Round.
• Waacking Battle Quarter-Finals, featuring dancers like Raukawa, Nathan, Riki, Kenpachi, Jay, Hayley Walters-Tekahika, and King Homeboy.
• Waacking Battle Semi-Finals, with participants such as Hayley Walters-Tekahika, Symmer, Rau, and Riki.
• The Waacking Final, featuring Rau vs. Hayley Walters-Tekahika.
• Other categories within Waack It Out included Popping Prelim and Popping Battles, All Styles Prelim and All Styles Battles, and Vogue Exhibitions, demonstrating a broader street dance focus.

World of Dance New Zealand (WOD NZ) has emerged as a significant platform for waacking crews.

• Imperial House of Waacking NZ (IHOW NZ) secured 1st Place in the Team Division at WOD NZ in 2024 and showcased again in 2025.
• "The Collective" (likely Candee Collective or a related performance group) also achieved considerable recognition, winning 1st Place in the Team Division at World of Dance New Zealand 2025 with an impressive score, qualifying them for the Championship Round at the World of Dance Summit 2025 in Los Angeles.

Red Bull Dance Your Style NZ is another high-profile competition where waacking dancers have made their mark.

• Heidi Chen and Peggy Yao, both waacking specialists from Candee Collective, competed in this event.
• Rina Chae served as the Dance Liaison for Red Bull 'Dance Your Style' in 2023, further integrating waacking into mainstream competitive dance.

HERSTORY - Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa is a flagship event co-presented by Rina Chae and En Beat Dance Academy. Launched in 2024 and returning in 2025, this two-day festival celebrates women and girls in Hip Hop culture, featuring dance battles across diverse street styles, including waacking, workshops, and panel discussions. This event is crucial for empowering women within the waacking community.

Other significant events where waacking, or its practitioners, have had a presence include:

• Battlezone: A premier street dance event where Imperial House of Waacking NZ has showcased. Jonathan Leung also performed here with Street Candee in 2022.
• Take The Throne Vogue Ball: Jaydess Nand was the Womens Performance champion here in 2015 NZ.
• Unleash The Beast Australia: Jaydess Nand was the Waacking champion here in 2015.
• K-Pop Showdown: Angelika Zueva was involved in this significant live K-Pop event in New Zealand.
• Auckland Kpop Festival: Earl De Castro and Tiffany Yeung performed here with Rina Chae.
• Street Camp and National Dance Champs: Organised by Street Dance New Zealand (SDNZ), headed by Ennaolla Paea, these events focus on national coverage and education in street dance, aiming to combat misinformation and promote foundational knowledge.

The Broader Street Dance Ecosystem and Waacking's Place

Waacking does not exist in isolation but thrives within a larger, interconnected New Zealand street dance ecosystem.

En Beat Dance Academy, co-founded by Rina Chae and Zed Zufable (Mr. Zee) in 2019 or 2020, is a cornerstone for street dance education and professional development. It offers comprehensive training in foundational street styles, including waacking, alongside commercial forms. En Beat also hosts weekly jams and workshops with international tutors, and provides professional development pathways, including K-Pop idol training and a commercial talent agency. Tiffany Yeung, a Korean dancer, has trained extensively at En Beat Dance Academy in styles including vogue, popping, grooves, choreography, heels, and house, alongside ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and Korean traditional dance.

The Projekt Team, founded by Josh Mitikulena in 2014, fosters a collaborative street dance environment, aiming to dismantle insular crew tendencies. While not explicitly a waacking-focused crew, their inclusive approach to diverse street dance styles, including vogue and waacking, and their hosting of events like Britomart Backyard Battles and Projekt Feel Good, contribute to a dynamic scene that benefits all street dance forms. The visit of Waackxxxy, a prominent Korean waacking dancer, to New Zealand provided a unique opportunity for international exchange. During her visit, she taught private classes for waackers, judged a freestyle battle event, and interacted with The Projekt Team members like Josh Mitikulena, Mele Ta'e'iloa, and John Vaifale, highlighting the global connections of the New Zealand community.

The proliferation of waacking classes at studios such as Kinetic Dance Studio NZ demonstrates its integration into mainstream dance education. Kinetic offers dedicated waacking classes, highlighting its expressive, free, and musical nature, characterised by arm movements and posing.

The inter-community dynamics within New Zealand street dance are complex. While some feel a "natural separation" between styles like bboying, choreography, and krump, figures like Josh Mitikulena actively try to "bridge the divide" by engaging in different styles and fostering collaboration. The argument is made that greater understanding and education across styles are crucial for easing tensions and promoting a more inclusive community.

A Chronology of New Zealand Waacking

Herein lies a timeline of significant milestones and individuals that have shaped the history of waacking in New Zealand:

• 1970s: Waacking originates in Los Angeles, pioneered by the Black and Spanish gay community within disco culture.
• 2006: Parris Goebel starts Request Dance Crew.
• 2007: Angelika Zueva, Rina Chae, and Margaret MacKenzie are members of Triple8funk, a crew that travelled to the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Los Angeles. Josh Mitikulena also went with Triple8funk.
• 2008: Heidi Chen is accepted into the Chinese Military Academy of Arts in Beijing.
• 2009: Rina Chae moves to Los Angeles to train and perform, including with Beyoncé and Justin Bieber.
• 2013: Rina Chae returns to New Zealand, noting a "lacking" in the local dance scene and a desire to "step up and fill it".
• 2014: Street Candee Dance Company, a commercial dance company focusing on feminine empowerment and mastery of waacking and voguing, is founded by Rina Chae. The Projekt Team is founded by Josh Mitikulena.
• 2015: The Jaackers, New Zealand's first waacking company, is created by Jaydess Nand in Auckland. Jaydess Nand wins Womens Performance champion at Take The Throne Vogue Ball NZ and Waacking champion at Unleash The Beast Australia.
• 2017: Heidi Chen performs with Street Candee Dance Company at Mystic Games-Sky City.
• 2018: Rina Chae's Street Candee Dance Company performs at the Netball Quad Series in Auckland's Spark Arena, showcasing an "underground disco funk" vibe. Angelika Zueva is a lead dancer at Coca Cola Christmas in the Park.
• 2019 or 2020: En Beat Dance Academy, offering training in foundational street styles including waacking, is co-founded by Rina Chae and Mr. Zee.
• 2021: Angelika Zueva is involved in K-Pop Showdown, New Zealand's biggest live K-Pop event. Jonathan Leung performs at K-Festival with Street Candee.
• 2022: Prowl Productions is founded by Hayley Walters-Tekahika (a waacking specialist) to create space for femme and street dance styles. Jonathan Leung performs with Street Candee at Blueprint (showcase) and Battlezone (showcase).
• 2023: Prowl Productions presents "CLUB WAACK" at Basement Theatre, celebrating waacking through a queer Aotearoa lens. Heidi Chen is noted as currently based in L.A.. Rina Chae is the Dance Liaison for Red Bull 'Dance Your Style'.
• 2024: Imperial House of Waacking NZ (IHOW NZ) wins 1st Place in the Team Division at World of Dance New Zealand 2024. HERSTORY - Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa, co-presented by Rina Chae, is launched, featuring waacking battles and workshops.
• 2025: IHOW NZ wins 1st Place in the Team Division at World of Dance New Zealand 2025. IHOW NZ showcases at World of Dance New Zealand 2025. HERSTORY - Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa is set to return.

Conclusion

The trajectory of waacking in New Zealand, as meticulously documented in these sources, presents a compelling narrative of adaptation, growth, and empowerment. From its roots in the Black and Spanish LGBTQ+ communities of Los Angeles, waacking has found a dedicated home in Aotearoa, evolving under the guidance of formidable figures such as Rina Chae, Jaydess Nand, and Hayley Walters-Tekahika. These leaders, through collectives like The Jaackers, Candee Collective, Imperial House of Waacking NZ, and Prowl Productions, have not only cultivated exceptional technical skill but also championed community, female empowerment, and queer and POC experiences through dance.

The competitive arena, particularly events like Waack It Out and World of Dance New Zealand, has served as a vital crucible for skill refinement and global recognition. Concurrently, educational initiatives and community-focused platforms, such as En Beat Dance Academy and HERSTORY, ensure the continuous development and accessibility of waacking for future generations. While challenges such as geographical isolation and the need for greater inter-style cohesion persist, the dedication of New Zealand's waacking practitioners ensures that this vibrant and expressive art form continues to flourish, contributing richly to the nation's diverse and dynamic street dance heritage. The story of New Zealand waacking is, indeed, a testament to resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of dance to transcend boundaries and foster community.