• Discover the evolution of Aotearoa’s dance landscape as we trace the remarkable journey of Street Candee and The Candee Collective, founded and led by visionary Rina Chae—a trailblazer whose international success brought a new level of artistry, professionalism, and empowerment to New Zealand’s dance community.

• Follow Rina Chae’s path from New Zealand to Los Angeles in 2009, where she spent six formative years performing alongside Beyoncé (2014 MTV Music Awards), Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Justin Bieber, and in music videos for top artists like Enrique Iglesias and Kanye West. Her LA experiences not only refined her skills but also inspired her unique vision for dance in NZ.

• In late 2014, Rina’s return to NZ set off a cultural wave. Sensing a lack of platforms celebrating powerful femininity and artistic expression, she launched Street Candee in 2015—an all-female ensemble known for sultry hip hop, jazz funk, waacking, and stage prowess. Instantly, they became industry leaders, captivating huge audiences at X Factor NZ, FIFA World Cup ceremonies, Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, and high-profile tours.

• Street Candee became a force for representation and activism, exemplified by the “Flawless: Female Artists Empowerment Concert.”

• The Candee Collective emerged as an umbrella organization, housing diverse specialty units—Candee Waackers (waacking), House of Candee (vogue/ballroom), heels dancers, krumpers, and more. As “Mother” of Imperial House of Waacking NZ, Rina Chae created vital links to global street dance pioneers and culture bearers.

• Key figures exemplify the depth of the collective:

  • Angelica Zueva: founding member, acclaimed dancer, DJ, K-pop performer, national event leader.
  • Emma-Kate Putnam: joined at 17, made it in NY/LA (Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande), returned to nurture NZ’s next generation.
  • Heidi Chen: multi-style prodigy, K-pop industry choreographer, waacking/vogue educator.
  • Natasha Katavich (“Lady T”): Moulin Rouge Paris performer, expert popper.
  • Grace Stevens: jazz champion, Galen Hooks’ LA assistant.
  • Alexandra Page, Kirsten Ocampo, Earl de Castro, and more, all contributing as dancers, community leaders, and cultural educators.

• Their influence extends beyond performance—prolific in TV, commercials (KFC, Samsung, TVNZ, Air NZ safety video), music videos, Cook Islands tours, and major festivals. Collaborators and protégés are now global talents, from Moulin Rouge, Street Girl Fighter TV show (En Beatz), to K-pop’s main stages (Jasmine, Alice, Jessica).

• Education and social impact are central:

  • Street Candee/Candee Collective offer weekly classes, workshops, open jams, and rookie-friendly battles (Valentine's Waacking Battles, K-pop Academy), cultivating resilience, community, and artistic growth.

• Recent controversy in the New Zealand street dance scene:

  • Paris Goebbel's Royal Family Dancers were accused of copying choreography and questioned on battle etiquette on the Korean MNET show Street Woman Fighter.
  • We delve into questions of originality, inspiration vs. imitation, and cultural appropriation
  • How do NZ’s femme collectives set themselves apart? By prioritizing upskilling, mentorship, authentic street dance education, and honoring cultural roots, Street Candee and Candee Collective serve as role models—investing in substance over spectacle.

• Notable events and milestones underscored:

  • “Flawless” Concert (2015), Poi Wai Festival (HIV/AIDS awareness), World of Dance NZ (2023, 2024 champions), Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa (annual, with international guests), SDNZ, HHI USA Finals, and massive community-driven showcases at Auckland Town Hall and Spark Arena.

• Final takeaway:

  • Street Candee and The Candee Collective have redefined female and street dance in NZ—not just performing, but empowering, educating, and connecting local artistry to the global stage.

  Show notes

Join us as we uncover how Auckland—Tāmaki Makaurau—became the epicenter of a uniquely Kiwi movement, forever changing the way house music and dance are expressed in the Pacific.

We map the pioneering path from the first inspired jams and local tracks, to the rise of influential venues like Kinetic Dance Studio, HIT Dance Studio and En Beat Dance Academy. Discover the role of legacy spaces like Grey Lynn Community Center, Empire Studios and TST Studios in shaping the culture, and how fierce events in other cities—like Swagfest in Hamilton—helped light the spark for a nationwide movement.

Meet the visionaries and powerhouses propelling the house dance movement in Aotearoa forward. We highlight foundational figures like Lawrence Liew and Jasmine Cox—early house dance champions and co-founders of House Dance NZ, whose dedication built a bridge from grassroots jams to formal studios. Learn how Jasmine’s roots with Plague Dance Crew and Lawrence’s prowess in teaching helped lay the community’s foundation.

Explore the dynamism of Sheldon Rua—aka Scent—whose leadership of Faleheddz turned a passion for house into a South Pacific powerhouse, creating open jams, thrilling battles, and cross-cultural connection every Thursday at Kinetic Studio.

Hear how Mr. Zee (Zedrik Nufable) steered the 603 Boogie Squad and co-directed En Beat Dance Academy, nurturing both beginners and future champions, and how his regular Monday cyphers with Hip Hop House Headz Aotearoa keep the culture thriving.

Get to know today’s icons: John Vaifale—“Happy Feet”—Red Bull champion, DJ, and MC infusing every event with boundless energy; John Bernardo "JB", the ever-generous teacher who built skills at TST and beyond; and Gabriel Nito, a three-crew powerhouse and passionate instructor at HIT, Flow Motion, and 603 Boogie. Experience the MC mastery of Ken Vaega (Lightsaber), orchestrating battles, throwdowns, and the joyous chaos of jam circles. Discover the vision behind Kinetic Dance Studio from founders Mitchell & Matthew Yee and Timothy Choy, plus the visionary event direction of Rina Chae at En Beat Dance Academy.

We spotlight the crews and organizations shaping the scene: from House Dance NZ and the community-building Faleheddz movement, to the electrifying HipHop House Headz Aotearoa, project-makers Projekt Team, the ever-evolving Flow Motion Dance Crew, the historic Plague Dance Crew, and the Monday night magic of LH Combine.

Relive signature battles—like the high-stakes Battlezone (with 2024 champ Sheldon Rua), the legendary Britomart Backyard Battles hosted by Faleheddz, the unforgettable Swagfest win by Sheldon & Kokonut in Hamilton, and crowd-favorite events like Funk In Da House at Zong Kitchen, and Ladies of Hip Hop Aotearoa 2025, which featured international House dance icon Toyin Sogruro.

Show notes

This episode takes you on a journey through four decades of movement, community, and identity in New Zealand’s hip-hop dance world.

The Arrival & Early Waves (1980s–1990s)

• Popping debuted in NZ in the early 1980s as part of the breakdancing craze, propelled by TV, movies, and strong links with American and Western Samoa.
• “Bopping,” the Samoan-accented adaptation, points to deep Pacific influence in the style’s local roots.

The Resurgence & Reinvention (2000s–Today)

• The 2000s saw renewal and explosion of workshops, battles, and initiatives, uniting old-school roots with adventurous fusion and uniquely Kiwi flavor.
• Dancers began integrating global innovations with NZ’s identity, laying the groundwork for today’s vibrant community.

Architects of the Scene: Pioneers, Leaders & Artists

• Ross Smith aka Future / Ra Smith: Wellington OG; taught technique and philosophy to the 2000s generation, repping NZ locally and internationally.
• River Vili aka Mase Boog: Over 29 years in popping/boogaloo; mentored by Suga Pop (Electric Boogaloos); a direct link to global pioneers and culture bearer; frequent workshop teacher.
• Diana Hu aka Dianamite: Popping, boogaloo, and breaking specialist; built the Auckland Popping Community (APC); organized jams, pivotal workshops (Mr. Wiggles, Hozin), and international exchanges; member of Boogiehood Connection and other crews.
• Taupuhi Toki aka Taupz/Papa Smurf: Breaking legend, popping scene torchbearer during lean years, grassroots battle/jam pioneer (Queen St jams, Vulcan Lane); active MC and teacher.
• Sejoo Han: Major new-generation leader and “popping powerhouse”; pivotal in reviving regular jams/classes post-2010; collaborative organizer and battle champion; facilitates APC’s current activities.
• Seidah Tuoai: Aotearoa-born Samoan/Cook Island artist, creator of the globally acclaimed “Popping Puletasi”—an innovative fusion of Samoan dance, attire, and popping; workshop leader and film-maker.
• Mr Zee (Zed Nufable): NZ/AU street dance mainstay since the 1980s, international judge, coach (603 Boogie Squad), and educator.
• Many others: Lawrence Liew, Josh “JR” Rumbold, John “Happyfeet” Vaifale (Red Bull champion), Stacey Meng “8face Baby XIII” (youth world champ), Tanky Zong, Daniel Bispo, Popn Ten, Mike Qu, Fan Wang, Teddy, Gino Borromeo, Dezhan Roberts, Justin Ki-Hyun Sung, Popping Octaves (NZ’s Got Talent), Jackal NZ, Kenpachi, Popping Drew (Endshot), Sam Yang, Ezra Bush, Raw Skeen, Tim Cheung, David Yan, Gabriela Quinsacara, and more—each a vital thread in NZ’s story.

Pillars of Community: Organizations & Crews

• Auckland Popping Community/Club (APC): The central hub—Facebook group, now Instagram—hosts free jams, events, and info exchange. Rebranded in 2023, revitalizing its legacy.
• Venues: City Dance Studio (iconic 2010s home); Momentum/MMM Studios; Kinetic Studio (modern hub, home to Friday jams); En Beat Dance Academy, The Spreading Tree, Neverland Studios—these platforms anchor regular jams, classes, and workshops.
• 603 Boogie Squad: A key popping/locking crew (15+ years); notable members and guest instructors.
• Projekt Team, Hopskotch Dance TV, Street Talk NZ, Boogiehood Connection, Instance Movement: Diverse collectives contributing workshops, battle series, and vital archival documentation.
• FL09 (Flow 09): Torch officially passed to this new-gen team in 2024, symbolizing community continuity.

Defining Events, Battles, & Showcases

• NZ Battlegrounds (Hamilton): Epic 1v1 popping showdowns; qualifiers for Australia’s dance championships.
• Te Oro Dance Battles: Celebrating street dance’s legacy with breaking/popping and live music.
• Pop What You Got: Auckland’s signature tournament—showcases veterans, rising stars, and international guests.
• Pop, Lock & Break: Multi-style 3v3 events, inclusive and celebratory.
• Vulcan Lane Battles, Popping Under the Stars, Silo Social, online jams (during COVID)—all foster belonging and innovation.

Show notes