Malaga—The Journey: The Performing Arts as Motivational Tool for Pasifika Students in Aotearoa New Zealand

What is it about?

In 2009, the musical work Malaga: The Journey, based on the journeys of Pacific peoples to Aotearoa New Zealand, was staged in the city of Porirua. Involving a large group of predominantly Pasifika students from three local secondary schools, the aim of the project was to encourage and motivate students to achieve better educational outcomes, and affirm positive notions of Pacific identities. Using these objectives as a starting point, this article presents a personal observational ethnography of the two weeks leading up to the shows, highlighting how these themes were incorporated into the rehearsal space and reflected in the work itself. Ending with anecdotes from those most closely involved in bringing Malaga to the stage, it suggests not only that the show was successful but also adds to discourses around the value of performing arts and culture in wider educational contexts.

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