| History and Background: "Puawai Aroha" means Flower, Blossom or Fruits of Love and it was founded in November 1996 by Harry & Lucy Thompson and Lea Bain. Tuhi Pearson, Margaret and Victoria Macgregor joined in early 1997 and made up the full compliment of the groupThe name Flower of love was suggested by Colin Bain but the group later adopted Blossom as a blossom blooms before it flowers and fruits. The interpretation of their costumes is: the white stands for love and peace,the blue representing the heavens and the seas,the yellow refers to the North Queensland sunshine,the black Y standing for all New Zealand people living in Australia, the black rising up from the center of the Y is the spiritual winds, the black base meaning the Aboriginals land and finally the black on the shoulder straps representing the mana of our ancestors from the past. The costume design was officially bless by the Aboriginal elder Mr Monty Pryor and Kaumaatua Watti Hemara in early 1997. The group was developed to maintain and promote their Maori culture through song and dance performances for Maori & New Zealand people born and raised in Australia. Also, for people who have arrived from New Zealand and are looking to maintain their heritage. The group also is proud to display their culture to the wider community through exhibitions at schools and culturalfestivals. With the loss of Tuhi (returned to NZ), Lea (moved to Kununurra) and Margret and Vicky (other commitments) Harry and Lucy have kept the group going.The group has performed at many venues and festivals throughout north Queensland. Their extensive involvement with the Migrant Resource Center annual cultural festival has made a considerable mark on the quality and diversity of cultural performances during this festival. The group is proud to perform for Charitable organizations including Nursing Homes, Church Groups, and other non-profit organizations.They have also perform for RSL Clubs, Bowls Clubs, Schools, Weddings & 21st and other social functions throughout North Queensland. The have also performed in many festivals including: Magnetic Island Festival, Lions Mango Festival, Palmer Street Festival, Holiday and Travel Show, Italian Festival also travelling to Mt Isa, Cairns and Brisbane to perform. During the year 2000 due to unforseen circumstances the group became inactive and wound its performances down. Members of the group were diagnosed with a medical condition but the group continued to meet on a weekly basis to give support to each other and continue to maitain their cultural heritage. Their only public performances were the Townsville Cultural Festival 2001 and 2002. April 2003 the group Puawai Aroha and a contingent of New Zealanders and Australians were part or the first "RELAY FOR LIFE" held in Townsville. This Relay event raised over $200,000.00 for the cancer foundation in Queesland. Sadly the group loss 2 close family members shortly after, who after a long battle succumbed to their illnesses. 2003 has also seen the group re-emerge as a performing identity at the Cultural Festival and other venues toward the end of closing of that year. WE ARE BACK!! |
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| KIA TAPATAHI |
| KIA KOTAHI RA |
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| PUAWAI AROHA BLOSSUM OF LOVE (SINCE 1996) |