ABOUT MANEA PACIFICA

Manea Pacifica is deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the Cook Islands, drawing on a legacy of family teachings, traditions and winning awards over the past 40 years. The involvement of both directors’ parents in the Cook Islands culture highlights the significance of this background

(You can view the timeline of the family legacy)

 

Manea Pacifica was formally established in 2012 by former dance champions Jasmine and Raven Nicholls. With a combined experience of over 28 years in dance competitions and the entertainment industry, their mission was to provide a youthful interpretation of Cook Islands culture. At the time of founding, both were just 17 and 18 years old, facing challenges from the older generation in the Cook Islands community in Sydney, where young individuals were seldom encouraged to start their own dance troupes.

Goals and Innovations

Jasmine and Raven aimed to inspire young Cook Islanders to stay connected to their roots through innovative approaches in dance management. They emphasise innovation to engage youth with their culture, intertwining art and storytelling to make teachings and choreography both educational and symbolic. Manea Pacifica prides itself on delivering professional quality services, implementing a rigorous selection and training process for its entertainment team.

Growth and Impact

Since its inception, Manea Pacifica has attracted over 150 past and present members and has expanded its reach through the Manea Ura Dance Academy, which has enrolled more than 1000 students worldwide. In 2018, Jasmine founded the Manea Ura Academy in response to parents' requests for cultural education rather than just performance. The following year, they opened Australia's first Cook Islands Dance Studio in Granville, Sydney, which has hosted around 80 students. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jasmine successfully transitioned to online teaching, reaching students across 45 countries. 

Community Engagement and Recognition

Manea Pacifica has built a strong reputation through participation in significant festivals within the Pacific community in Sydney, such as the Sydney Waitangi Day Festival and Samoa Independence Day, performing for audiences as large as 30,000. Manea Pacifica has also performed at numerous NRL events catering to audiences of up to 80,000 people. They have also traveled to various locations, including the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Griffith, New Zealand, and the Cook Islands. Their performances have been featured on Channel 7 Sunrise, Channel 9, Channel 10, ABC and Fox Sports, and have collaborated with notable artists like Guy Sebastian and Olivia Foa'i, the lead singer from Disney's Moana.