crew, ‘Roxy’ from RGD, took home 2nd place in the junior
division at Project in 2024. Photo
supplied.
Project Hip Hop Dance
Competition returns to Mercury Arena Baypark this King’s
Birthday Weekend, bringing more than 1,000 young dancers
together from across Aotearoa for a two-day celebration of
movement, music, and mana.
Held on Saturday, 31 May
and Sunday, 1 June, this high-energy dance competition gives
young people the opportunity to grow, create, and express
themselves – whether they’re just starting out or
competing at an elite level.
Founder and event
director Sarah Martin began this competition while teaching
at Te Puke High School. At the time, her students didn’t
feel confident entering national dance competitions, so she
created a platform where they could build their skills and
self-belief.
“Project was designed to provide an
opportunity for entry-level dancers to experience a
high-quality dance competition event to gain confidence to
enter other national events,” says Sarah. “A full-circle
moment for me this year is seeing Te Puke High School
entering again for the first time in over a decade, led by
their Head of Dance, Jennifer Cram, who was a student of
mine back when it all began.”
From humble beginnings
at Baycourt in 2010 with just nine crews and 70 dancers,
Project has grown and become a major event on the national
dance calendar. In 2024, the competition attracted 1,004
dancers across 94 crews, drawing in more than 2,400
spectators. This year, the event is set to be even bigger,
with 102 crews registered.
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This event is
proudly supported by the Tauranga Event Fund, which supports
arts, culture, and sporting events that enrich the city as a
place to both live and visit, and reflect Tauranga’s
unique lifestyle and identity. Nelita Byrne, Manager of
Venues and Events at Tauranga City Council, says the event
is a great example of the creative, vibrant, and inclusive
initiatives the fund aims to
foster.
“We’re proud to support
events like Project Hip Hop. Dance – particularly hip hop –
is a crossover between sport and culture, demanding the
physicality and discipline of sport, alongside the
creativity and storytelling of the arts. Events like this
resonate with many young people in our city, reflecting
their passions and giving them something positive to aim
for.”
crew, ‘Allegiance’ from Mafia Dance Family, at Project Hip
Hop in 2024. Photo supplied
Bay
Venues Head of Events Amanda West says it’s an occasion
that truly reflects the power of youth-led
expression.
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome
the Project Youth Hip Hop Dance Competition back to Mercury
Baypark. This event is a vibrant celebration of Aotearoa’s
street dance culture, bringing together talent, creativity,
and community from across the motu. We’re proud to host an
event that uplifts young people and showcases the power of
dance.”
Long-time MC of the event Hadleigh Pouesi
says Project’s impact goes far beyond the
stage.
“Over the last 15 years, I’ve seen
firsthand how this event shapes the dance industry and our
wider community,” says Hadleigh. “Project has launched
the careers of international superstars, but it’s also
helped thousands of rangatahi unlock leadership, creativity,
and confidence. The kaupapa has never changed, it’s about
giving young people a platform to express themselves,
challenge themselves, and feel empowered.”
Saturday
will feature beginner and school-age crews in the Primary,
Junior Novice, Varsity Novice, and Mega School divisions.
Sunday sees top open division crews compete in Junior, Mini,
Varsity, Adult, and Mega Crew categories, with $22,000 in
prize money.
To build the hype, a special
preview performance will take place at the Tauranga
Waterfront on Saturday, 17 May, as part of the Hoops on the
Waterfront event with Whai Basketball. Local dance school
Phoenix Performing Arts will be showcasing its talent, with
dance crew Flame performing at 11am, followed by a
short hip hop teaching session for the
public.
Sarah Martin says the success of
Project Hip Hop comes down to a collective effort. “I want
to thank my whānau, who’ve been part of every event, my
incredible event team; our sponsors, Tauranga City Council,
TECT, Lion Foundation, Pub Charity, and Custom Tees; and the
parents, caregivers, and teachers who give their all to
support the next generation. And most importantly, the young
people, for having the courage to show up, step up, and
express themselves.”
Event Details:
Hoops
on the Waterfront with Whai
Basketball
When:
Saturday,
17 May, 10.30am to
12.30pm
Where:
Tauranga
waterfront, basketball half-court.
Project
Hip Hop Dance Competition
When:
Saturday,
31 May & Sunday, 1 June
2025
Where:
Mercury Arena Baypark, Mount
Maunganui.
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