Festival organisers stamping out freedom of speech says teacher

By RENEE KIRIONA

A Pacific Islands dance expert claims rule makers of a Samoan dance contest have gagged performers by restricting what they can and cannot say.

Traditional and contemporary Samoan dancer Keneti Muaiava has described the committee for the ASB Cultural Festival's Samoan section as "freedom of speech oppressors".

"They [the co-ordinators] have told us not to go over the top, that we cannot sing about social and political issues and this is holding young Samoans back."

Yesterday Mr Muaiava was perfecting the finishing touches for the De La Salle College and Marist College Samoan groups in the competition.

But unlike most of their competitors, the two schools have refused to toe the line.

"We are singing about child abuse, about ministers who live in big fat homes and off the backs of others.

"Our young ones are crying out for answers and solutions.

"They want to know why those Samoan boys killed that man at the pizza bar and the other man at the bank.

"They also want to know why so many of our young girls are getting pregnant and running away from home."

Having taught more than 2000 Samoan youth, Mr Muaiava said he had a good idea of the issues relevant to them.

Some of his students have included sports stars Henry Faafili, who plays for the Warriors, Motu Tony (Brisbane Broncos) and Brad Mika (All Blacks).

He also tutored Joseph Sam Samoa, Pago Savai'inaea and Ese Falealii, convicted for the murders of Pakuranga pizza worker Marcus Doig and Mangere Bridge bank teller John Vaughan in May 2002.

But one of the Samoan stage co-ordinators, Mele Ah Sam, disagreed with Mr Muaiava's comments.

"What he is saying is not in the official rules. There are some limits but as far as I'm concerned, they can do whatever they want so long as the pese ole aso [song for the festival] item relates to themes chosen by the host school."

Mrs Ah Sam, who did not elaborate on the "limits", said she had not seen Mr Muaiava attend any meetings in the past year to air his views.

Mr Muaiava said that the meetings were a waste of time. "I've been to six years of meetings from 1991 to 1996 and as much as I spoke out no one listened."

The festival starts tomorrow, but the Samoan section, made up of 34 groups, will not get under way until 8.30am on Friday at the Manukau Sports Bowl.

The rules

* The "written" rules for the Samoan section of the festival: All groups are restricted to a time of 20 minutes.

* The maximum number of people on stage is 60, including the supporters (maximum of 4 supporters).

* All groups must perform a taualuga (finale song). This is inclusive in the 20-minute performance.

* All schools who wish to be considered for the aggregate total must perform all of the items below.

* Only one pate or apa and one drummer are allowed to play for the sasa at any one time. A substitute drummer may take over using the same instrument when the first drummer tires.

(The rules are set not by the organisers of the festival but by teachers and parents.)


Herald Feature: Polyfest

Official site: Auckland Secondary Schools Maori & Pacific Islands Festival (Polyfest)

* Thursday March 16 to Saturday March 20
(powhiri starts at 8.30am)
Manukau Sports Bowl