Mele Otufelenite Ta’e’iloa, New Zealand born Tongan, from the villages of Lotofoa and Kolonga in Tonga. Currently residing in South Auckland, New Zealand. She is the Director of New Zealand’s leading Hip Hop and Street Dance collective, Projekt Team. She is an advocate for Hip Hop and Street Dance, with a passion for Locking. Her practice involves freestyle and battle, the true essence of Hip Hop, as well as organizing multiple events and opportunities for street dancers in New Zealand to thrive, whether participating in or spectating. She also plays a producer role for Projekt Team, producing all things Street dance such as festivals, performances, events, battles, workshops and soo much more.
Ko Au Mini Festival
Artform: Dance
Development Status: Tour Ready (Ko Au Mini Festival brings together a collection of developed works, concepts, and events that Projekt Team has created under the Ko Au banner over the past 3-4 years. This year, we premiered the festival as part of the Matariki Season at The Basement.)
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Synopsis
Ko Au Mini Festival is a three-day event that showcases the creative pillars of Projekt Team—freestyle, battle, and showcase—while celebrating the diverse cultures of Aotearoa through street dance.
Day 1 features "PAREAU," a freestyle showcase where dancers create new pieces live, ensuring an evening filled with surprises. Dancer's have no clue what set design, lighting or music they will dance to till they walk out into the performance space.
Day 2 presents "KAINGA," a community battle event open to all, fostering unity and friendly competition, followed by an after-party to celebrate together.
Finally, Day 3 offers "LE'O," a collaborative showcase featuring Projekt Team and talented young dancers from local high schools, highlighting emerging talent in the street dance scene.
Creative Team and Crew
Producer: Mele Ta'e'iloa
Director: Josh Mitikulena
Dance Artists:
Sejoo Han
Seidah Tuaoi
John Vaifale
Sheldon Rua
Villa Lemanu
Myke Davis Hoeft
Mele Tapueluelu
Keith Fata
Kimi Young
Daniel Jang
Number of People in the Touring Party
8 People
Previous Seasons
Ko Au
Ko Au: Disconnected
Ko Au: Malosi
Ko Au Mini Festival
Reviews and Quotes
Everyone’s pieces were beautiful in their own unique way. Loved seeing the different cultures working together and the range of emotions it made you feel from sad to happy.
The heartfelt story, bought back emotional memories and reminded me of our growth as a family.
Collaboration with students, creativity and talent of dancers.
The variety of dancers, dance styles and personalities. The acknowledgement of each dancers whakapapa. The sense of fun. The opportunity dancers got to perform, express, and connect. The joy. The bringing together of people.
#TheSoundProjekt
Artform: Dance and Beatmaking
Development Status: Tour Ready
Pitch Video
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#TheSoundProjekt Live Tournament is the next evolution of our innovative arts competitions, originally inspired by the success of #ProjektLockdown in 2019. This event brings together New Zealand's top beatmakers and dancers in a thrilling, live knock-out tournament. Following a series of online preselection rounds hosted on Instagram, where participants showcase their talents, the best of the best will face off in a one-night event filled with battles and entertainment.
Celebrating NZ Music Month, each round of the competition will feature a unique theme—ranging from Māori/Pasifika influences to Kiwiana and popular culture—challenging beatmakers to craft original tracks that dancers will choreograph or freestyle to in real-time. This live event not only highlights the creativity and diversity of New Zealand’s homegrown talent but also fosters a vibrant cultural exchange, making it a must-see celebration of music, dance, and community.
Creative Team and Crew
Producer: Mele Ta'e'iloa
Directors: Renee Sharp
Host: Josh Mitikulena
DJ: DJ Spell
Judges: (up to 6 - 3 music judges and 3 dance judges, all local artists selected by invitation based on the city or town where the event is hosted).
Number of People in the Touring Party
4
Previous Seasons
#ProjektLockdown 2021
#TheSoundProjekt 2022
Fusion Concept
Artform: Street Dance
Development Status: One-Off Special Event or Standalone Production
Pitch Video
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Synopsis
The Fusion Concept 2v2 Freestyle Dance Battle is a premier street dance competition that unites top freestyle dancers from around the world. This exciting event, hosted by Projekt Team, provides New Zealand’s finest duos with a chance to showcase their skills and compete for a coveted spot in the world finals.
Participants will face off in high-energy one-on-one battles, pushing their creative and technical limits in a vibrant and electrifying atmosphere. The event promises intense performances and fierce competition, celebrating the artistry and innovation of freestyle dance.
The highlight of the Fusion Concept 2v2 Freestyle Dance Battle is the opportunity for the top team to secure a place in the Final Battle Card. The winning duo will receive an all-expenses-paid round trip to Paris, France, to represent New Zealand at the Fusion Concept 2v2 World Final Battles. This is a unique chance to shine on an international stage and compete against the best in the world.
Creative Team and Crew
Producer: Mele Ta'e'iloa
Directors: Fusion Concept Team France - 3 people
Host: TBC x 1
DJ: TBC x 1
Judges: TBC x 3
Can be local and international guests
Number of People in the Touring Party
8
Previous Seasons
Fusion Concept NZ Qualifier 2023
Fusion Concept NZ Qualifier 2024
Reviews and Quotes
What an incredible night! Brought to tears by some of the contestants and their energy tonight. How beautiful are the dancers from Aotearoa!? I’m going to be a bit open and honest here, the last few months in particular I have had some really dark clouds to fight through. The last thing I felt like doing was dancing. But today I have been showered with light. And that is what I love about community. We are not meant to walk this life alone. That’s also something I love about fusion concept, connection is one of the most important things about this battle. In fact it is fundamental. Connection is something we truly need in our dance, and in our world. (Battle Judge)
It was an honour judging Fusion Concept NZ qualifier last night with fellow NZ dance OGs Katto & Omen. The battles were amazing all night! Sheldon and Ehetere Rua are off to France to represent Aotearoa in the world final after a beautiful night of dancing. I felt happy to be amongst the scene and completely enjoyed the experience, particularly being inspired by what all the dancers brought to the floor. Thanks Projekt Team for having me. (Battle Judge)
TECHnique
Artform: Street Dance, Digital Technology
Development Status: Tour Ready
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Synopsis
TECHnique is an innovative and audience-led street dance battle that integrates dance with digital technologies. For each round, the audience is invited to use their devices to vote for the concept, and ultimately, the winner. Whether it's picking between classical or funk, or suggesting a colour for dancers to interpret, the audience takes control. Through real-time voting, attendees directly influence the direction of the battle, adding an element of unpredictability to each round.
Creative Team and Crew
Producer: Melody Renaud
Creative Director: Mele Ta'e'iloa
Motion Artist and Animator: Min Huey Pon
Creative Technologist and Sound Designer: Peter Simpson
Dancers:
Myke Davis Hoeft
Avneil Mohan
John Vaifale
Sheldon Rua
Mele Tapueluelu
Andy Ha
Sejoo Han
Seidah Tuaoi
Host/MC: Renee Sharp
DJ: Nathaniel Mohi
Number of People in the Touring Party
15
Previous Seasons
Tempo: Te Rerenga o Tere - Capture Digital Showcase
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.
The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) Arts Market is New Zealand's premiere event for artists, producers, presenters and industry leaders from across the performing arts sector.