O KIVA NUI Welcomes You!

TE VAKA PRODUCTIONS, INC. Polynesian Entertainment at its Very Best A "Vaka" is a canoe, which is prominent in our Polynesian culture. Like our ancestors, we have journeyed far to experience with you our respective island culture. With roots in the Cook Islands, we bring to you our drumming, singing, chanting, and dancing, that not only entertains, but perpetuates our Polynesian culture in its truest form. Come take a Polynesian journey with Te Vaka Productions. In August, 2000, Terry Joseph made a journey in a Vaka from Auckland, New Zealand to New Caladenia which is hundreds of miles on the open sea. It takes approximately two weeks to complete this trip depending on the weather. It takes great stamina to travel in this manner and it was after this trip that Terry and Lisia Joseph decided to form this dancing troupe. O Kiva Nui represents “A Journey from Beyond.” The Polynesian people traveled only with canoes and a journey was a great undertaking. This is why we chose these names for our group as they have this special meaning to the Cook Island people and the Josephs. Our Motto A journey with spirit, Going forth, Never looking back, Seeking the new, Remembering the past While building the future. Te Vaka Productions takes pride in hiring only the best of the best Polynesian Performers. O Kiva Nui shows are made up of a combination of male and female dancers who are extremely fit. We play authentic live Polynesian music with hypnotic beating drums. Our shows are fast paced and include authentic hand-made costumes and hand-carved drums. We tailor and design our own costumes and we coordinate our shows to meet your specific needs. Te Vaka Productions has traveled widely, performed for dignitaries, had bookings in Las Vegas, been on television, had engagements at some of Houston’s finer night clubs and restaurants, have had several dates at Kemah Boardwalk, played at charitable events, performed at Moody Gardens, and other various events.
	TERRY T. JOSEPH Kia Orana, I was born in Rarotonga, Cook Islands and began learning music and dance as a very young boy. When I was older, I turned professional and became top dancer and entertainer in the Cook Islands. I have traveled and performed in Australia, New Zealand Fiji, Tahiti, New Caledonia, American Samoa, Western Samoa, Canada, and Europe extensively. I now live in Houston, Texas, am married, and have two children. In 2001, I began forming Te Vaka Productions, Inc. which presents the O Kiva Nui Dance Troupe. O Kiva Nui is now performing all around Houston and the USA. Meitaki Maata
	LEILANI NOOVAO Kia Orana, I was born and raised in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, and learned the Polynesian dance as a very young girl. In 1998, I was in a beauty contest “Ms Tiare Pagent” which includes beauty, talent, and modeling and I came in first place. I am now a professional Polynesian dancer who enjoys traveling, and sharing our Cook Island culture with audiences. Ka Kite.
	NOO HEWETT TUIRAVAKAI Kia Orana, I am a native of the Rarotonga, Cook Islands, where I learned the Polynesian dance and music at a very early age. My talent lies in making the music. I am a professional drummer and singer. I am proud to be one of the best ambassadors for the Cook Islands and I love to share our culture with others. I have traveled and performed around the world which includes Japan, Australia, Tahiti, Barbados, Germany, New Zealand, and the USA. Thank you, E Kia Manuia.
	PAUL TUPOU Kia Orana and Greetings, I come from the “Land of the Long White Cloud” Aotearoa, New Zealand. I was born in Tutakimoa, Cook Islands and was raised in New Zealand. I am a professional musician who plays the lead ukulele, the kamaka, the rhythm guitar, and the bass. Cook Island cultural dance groups always have a set of drums that goes with each performance. They are called: pau-bass drum, pan mango-bongo, tikita-double, and the pate, the lead drum. I began learning to play these drums at the age of eight, and I have been gaining experience through the years. I am improving my skills and gaining more experience on this journey. I have toured and performed in Australia., Spain, New Zealand and other parts of the world and now the USA. My goal is to make my family, and my Cook Island people of what the young generation is doing today. Aerera E Kia Manuia.
	ETETIA ITU Kia Orana, I was born and raised on the Island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands. I am twenty-two years of age and enjoy carving, fishing, fire dancing, and Polynesian dancing. I began dancing at age ten and have danced ever since. I have traveled to New Zealand, New Caledonia and am now employed by Te Vaka Productions, Inc. in Texas, USA. I am proud to be a Cook Islander and I enjoy sharing my culture with others. I intend to be a tutor in the future for the next generation of Island Dancers. Aere Ra
	TEURA ITU Kia Orana: I was born and raised on the Island of Aitutaki, Cook Islands. Aitutaki is one of the most beautiful islands in the Cook Islands I am one of the top fire/knife dancers. I won first place in the National Competition last year. I come from a very large family with ten brothers and sisters. My hobbies are carving wood, fishing, singing, and listening to music I learned to dance at a very young age. My goal is to travel around the world and share my culture and my talent with many people. I also want to teach our dance and our culture to future generations. Thank you Meitaki Maata
	ALONE DAVEY Kia Orana I was born and raised in Aitutaki Cook Islands. I began dancing as a very young girl and have enjoyed it ever since. I enjoy dancing in front of new people. I have participated in many cultural activities. I was chosen to perform in Hawaii and Australia. My hobbies are, netball and volleyball, music, singing, and dancing. In the future, I would like to own my own dance team and become a professional musician. Kia Aku Kia Kotou Kia Manuia Roa
	URI PAULO (FELIX) I am a native of the Cook Islands and was born on the island of Aitutaki. I learned to dance at a very young age and became one of the best dancers in the Islands. I have won first place in the dance contest held each year in Aitutaki. I have shared my culture while traveling to China, Fiji, Hawaii, and Mexico and the United States. My hobbies include sports, listening to music, dancing, and reading. In the future, I wish to use my talent to tutor Cook Island children in the Cook Island Culture. Ka Kite, Kia Manuia
	TUPUKIKI GEORGE Kia Orana, I was born on the Island of Atiu in the Cook Islands. I began learning to dance at the age of 10 and have been dancing ever since. I have won dancer of the year in Atiu for past four years. I love dancing and my Cook Island culture and I enjoy sharing it with others. Dancing has given me the opportunity to travel around the world, and I have performed in Tahiti, Hawaii, China, and now the United States. I enjoy performing in front of people and modeling in fashion shows. My hobbies are volleyball, netball, dancing, and singing. From me to you all, Kia Manuia Meitaki Ranuinui
	NGATOKOTERU IOANE Kia Orana: Teru (Three) is the name. Yes lucky Three is my name. I was born and raised on the Island of Pearls, Manihiki, Cook Islands. I am an outgoing person who loves my culture and who puts God first. My favorite hobbies are singing, sports, listening to music, reading, and socializing. Most of all, I treasure hanging out with my family on the weekends. I enjoy things that most girls don’t like to do on the Island, for example: body boarding, diving, and playing boy’s sports. I learned Polynesian dancing at a very young age, and during that period of time, I gained more confidence in myself. Being a professional dancer gives me the opportunity to show my talent to others. I intend to stay a dancer and live my life to the fullest. Kia Orana e Kia Manuia
	JOSEPHINE PORIO Kia Orana: I was born in Rarotonga, and was raised in Atiu Cook Islands. I began dancing at the age of eight. I have participated in many dance performance that takes place in the Cook Islands. I have traveled and performed in Australia and around the Cook Islands. I love my culture and enjoy performing and sharing my culture with others. I am proud to be a Cook Island ambassador. My hobbies are singing, and playing sports, and reading. I also enjoy meeting new people and learning about their background. In my personal daily life, God comes first. I am creative at times and sometimes funny. Being a dancer really gives me the opportunity to travel around the world to experience different cultures. My plans for the future are to become a Travel Agent and to live life to the max. Meitaki Ranuinui
	JOYCE LUCIA REGINA FORTES (JOEY) Kia Orana: I am an island girl who loves her culture. I was born on the island of Atiu and raised on the island of Mauke and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. As I was being educated, I was taught our island traditions. While growing up, I was inspired by various professional island dancers to become a Polynesian dancer. This led me to find self confidence and I was encouraged by my family to reach my ambitions. I am a well known professional Polynesian dancer in Rarotonga and I am proud to have been a member of the top professional dance group in the Cook Islands ì Te Orama.î My special interests are accounting, fashion, reading, sports (especially beach volleyball), Polynesian Dancing, and swimming. I love being on the beach on a bright sunny day with families and friends. I enjoy traveling and meeting new people while learning new styles of life. I intend to complete my education overseas and then return to my homeland (as they say, Thereís no place like home). I love to share my culture to many, and Iím proud to have had the opportunity of sharing my culture with you. So, from me to you, Kia Orana e Kia Manuia
	NGATOKORIMA TEURA Kia Orana My name is Nga. I was born and raised in New Zealand and my family is from the Island of Atiu in the Cook Islands. I started playing music at the young age of eleven. I am a talented and a very capable musician. Although I play other instruments, my strength is the bass guitar. I was a member of a winning group the “Ruff Coconuts” who won 1st place at the annual Cultural Festival of the Cook Islands. I also was a member in other groups during my career. I am very conscientious about attending performances which is a very important trait for a musician. I would always find myself to be reliable, cooperative, and polite with my dedication to music. I believe I am an asset to any band or group. From me to you, God Bless.