Sefa Enari thought he was seeing too many negative stories about Pacific communities, and decided young people needed some new role models.
He found them in the arts, and on Monday introduced them to a theatre of eagerly awaiting children.
It can be hard to keep kids quiet, but when the lights went down at Mangere Arts Centre, they were shushing themselves.
The performance and workshop was put on for Sylvia Park School and is part of New Zealand's first Pacific Dance Festival.
Mr Enari says kids need to be inspired by Pacifika role models because the community is often shown in a bad light.
"Young people get a bad rap here," he says. "I think the media sometimes focuses too much about the negative things going on in our community.
"We wanted to encourage our young children to be proud of who they are and their uniqueness as Pacific people in New Zealand."
For many, this was their first time in a theatre. The students said it made them proud to be part of the Pacific community.
"It makes me know more about my culture," one says. "I only know Māori. I want to know more about Samoan and stuff like that."
The performance was a surprise even to those who organised it.
"[I was] overwhelmed," choreographer Leke Bourke says. "I wasn't expecting that!
"Every kid is hungry for a role model, and some kids aren't good at sport; maybe they're good at dance."
They certainly had the moves, performing a booming haka as a thank you.
Pacific Dance Festival runs from 13-18 June at Mangere Arts Centre. Tickets to the evening shows are available at EventFinda.
Newshub.
