Maori, Polynesian and Chinese culture have been combined for a show taking to the stage in South Auckland tonight.
ONE The Earth Rises is a celebration of the history of the Manukau region.
The performance features t’ai chi and kapa haka.
More than 50 dancers are involved, both professional and aspiring performers from TOHU Dance Theatre, Ngā Tapuwae College, UNITEC Performing Arts School, and James Cook High School.
The show’s been created by award winning choreographer Moss Patterson, in cooperation with Sand Artist Marcus Winter, and sound engineer Paddy Free, of Pitch Black fame.
"The philosophy around the work is bringing communities together to realise many of the historical images or the historical places that surround us," Patterson said.
Stories have been embodied through contemporary dance.
"Ideally, this is helping to understand each other, to appreciate each other," Patterson said.
"There's so much prejudice out there, from one community to the next, from one culture to the next, this type of work is actually about breaking down those barriers."
The dance show is on at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau, for one night only.
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