NEWSWIRE: By Matthew Lau, 22 October 2014

Double accolade in Taiwan

THE Whitireia Performing Arts troupe was picked to kick start the closing ceremony of the Nan Ying International Folklore Festival.

Having been the closing act at the opening ceremony a week earlier, the selection was double honour at the in the Xin Yin area of Tainan City.

It was the fourth time Whitireia performed at the main stage, which was spread over 12 busy days across the Tainan district.

When asked what he thought of the achievement, Whitireia tour director Tuaine Robati says “it’s good for New Zealand”.

“I think we’ve been recognised as a strong group to have closed the opening show and open the closing show.”

The song sung was E hika e Para crossed with Te Toi o te waka.

The three-minute Māori piece was well-received by the appreciative spectators, who had a taste of New Zealand before watching the other 21 multi-cultural acts from around the world.

The impressive flag-throwing Italy closed the show, with the high-energy Serbia being the penultimate group.

Programme manager for Whitireia Performing Arts, Pip Byrne, says it was a nice way to conclude the 2014 wānanga.

“I thought the new repertoire we did today was well chosen.  It showed our strength in singing.

“As soon as they leave the stage, fans bombard them with requests for photos and autographs.”

Ms Byrne was also pleased to have sold all the DVDs of Whitireia performances to Tainan locals, which she believes is a sign of global recognition for the Wellingtonians.

Whitireia Performing Arts have now returned home, and the third-year students will be assessed on their body of work from October 23 to 25.

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