Intro: 16 counts from the beginning of the music
Note: No tags or restarts.
End: Dance finishes at 6:00 after count 12. Step ¼ to the R with R foot (9:00) and ¼ step with L out to L side to bring you back to 12:00.
S1: L side rock, Cross shuffle, ¼ , ¼, R cross shuffle (6:00)
3&4
L cross over right into a cross shuffle
5 6
R step back a ¼ on R foot (9:00), L step ¼ side on L foot (6:00)
7&8
R cross over left into cross shuffle
S2: L side rock, Behind side cross, R side, L behind, R sweep, Behind side
1 2
Step L out to the left into a side rock (1) recover on R (2)
3&4
Cross L behind right, step R out to the right, crossing L over R
5 6
Step R out to the right side (5) while stepping L behind with a R sweep (6)
7 8
Placing R behind L, stepping L foot out to the L side
S3: R cross L tap, L recover side, L cross R tap, R recover side
1 2
Cross R over L while tapping L foot slightly behind R
3 4
Recover back on L, while stepping R out to R side
5 6
Cross L over R while tapping R foot slightly behind L
7 8
Recover back on R, while stepping L out to L side
S4: R step ½ pivot & flick R 2x, RL walk, R forward shuffle
1 2
Step forward on R while making a ½ pivot (L) flicking R foot (12:00)
3 4
Step forward on R while making a ½ pivot (L) flicking R foot (6:00)
5 6
Walk forward on your R and then your L
7&8
Step R forward, L following behind R, step R forward
(Option: You can change out the 2x walks with a full turn)
This dance was created to bring inspiration around Matariki and the collaboration of two worlds. It is also about bringing people together and enjoying each other’s company. There are fusions of kapa haka movements, but are subtle and if you didn’t know, then you wouldn’t realise. Which is what I wanted.
Matariki is a beautiful time of year for Māori and is meant to foster and signify new beginnings, togetherness, whānau cohesion and overall connectedness. With this in mind the dance is meant to be fun and enjoyable, with the hopes of bringing dancers on the floor together.
I often get asked to teach how to style, but I don’t know how to do that, as everyone’s style is unique to them. However, I can guide and support with provoking feelings, therefore when you are dancing, I want you to visualise being surrounded by everyone you love. The feeling you get when you visualise this is what I want dancers to carry when they are dancing this piece! Enjoy.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
What is the most important think in the world? It is the people, the people, the people.