Group Categories

GROUP COMPETITION RULES (‘ŌTE’A / MEHURA / TAMARI’I / REREATA)

1. Competition Categories:

‘ŌTE’A / MEHURA / REREATA categories are available for groups of 5 male, female, or mixed dancers only, with a minimum age of 16. There is a single division with no distinction between amateur and professional groups.

‘ŌTE’A TAMARI’I or ‘APARIMA TAMARI’I category is open to groups of 5 to 10 dancers, with participants aged between 6 and 15 years. Group leaders are responsible for verifying the ages of all dancers. Any violation of these age requirements will result in disqualification. There is a single division with no distinction between amateur and professional groups.

2. Registration Fee:

   The fee is $200 per group.

3. Registration Deadline:

   Registration must be completed by March 14, 2025. Forms, along with the $200 fee per group, must be signed by adult participants or a parent/guardian for minors and submitted to the organizing committee by this date.

4. Competition Date and Time:

   The Mehura competition will take place on Saturday, March 29.

   Registration opens at 3:00 PM, and the competition begins at 4:00 PM.

5. Competition Protocol:

   • A minimum of 3 groups is required for the competition to proceed.

   • If fewer than 3 groups register, they may participate in a demonstration show if time permits.

   • Each category will be judged in a single round to determine rankings.

6. Music / Lyrics & Translations Submission:

   • Each group must submit their chosen song file with lyrics and translations to the organizers by March 5, 2025.

   • No song can be used by more than one group, except for the REREATA CATEGORY.

7. Performance Duration:

   Performances must be between 2.5 and 3 minutes long.

8. Costumes Rules:

   MEHURA COSTUMES:

   • All adornments for the Mehura competition must be crafted from either fresh or dry natural materials, including ornamental foliage, drupes, and flowers. Additional materials such as feathers, shells, and mother-of-pearl may also be used, based on the group’s preference.

   • Head ornaments are compulsory and can take various forms, such as crowns, tiaras, headpieces, floral arrangements (either spanning ear-to-ear, as partial bands, or styled into round buns or ponytails).

   • Complementary adornments for the neck, ankles, wrists, and arms that match the headpiece are encouraged.

   • Female Mehura Dancer Costume:

     • Costumes should be made from solid-colored or patterned fabric featuring floral (pareu) or tapa designs.

     • Performers may wear a long-fitted dress or a two-piece outfit with a long skirt. Long skirts made from more fabric are also acceptable.

     • The use of satin or velvet materials is strictly prohibited.

   • Male Mehura Dancer Costume:

     • Costumes consist of a pareu ta’amu tihere, ta’amu pareu, or trousers, made from solid-colored or patterned fabric with floral (pareu) or tapa designs.

     • The upper body can be left bare, or adorned with a waistcoat or shirt. Satin and velvet materials are not allowed.

   ‘ŌTE’A / ‘ŌTE’A TAMARI’I or ‘APARIMA TAMARI’I / REREATA COSTUMES:

   ·       Adornments must be made from fresh or dry plants, such as foliage and flowers, as well as feathers, shells, and mother-of-pearl, based on the group's choice & theme.

   ·       Head ornaments are mandatory and can include crowns, tiaras, headpieces, or floral arrangements styled in various ways, such as ear-to-ear bands, partial bands, round buns, or ponytails.

   ·       A neck adornment or scarf (tahei) that matches the head ornament is encouraged, with necklaces designed to stop at the navel.

   Matching ornaments for the neck, ankles, wrists, and arms are also permitted.

   4. Costume Integrity:

      • Any part of the costume that becomes detached during the performance will result in a penalty.

      Judging Criteria:

      • The jury, comprising 3 recognized ‘Ori Tahiti experts, will evaluate performances based on choreography, technical mastery, synchronization, emotional expression, thematic concordance, and artistic presentation, including costume.

      • Each jury member has one vote, and the President has the casting vote in case of disputes. Jury decisions are final.

9. Penalties:

   Each rule violation results in a 10-point deduction from the final score.

 10.  Sportsmanship:

• Any display of poor sportsmanship by competitors or their associates will result in immediate disqualification.

• Competitors showing poor sportsmanship during result announcements will be disqualified from future editions of the competition.

Photographs of contestants will be used for reference on the event day and may also appear in our digital and printed programs. Please provide a color headshot (JPEG or PNG format) featuring either you in costume or a simple flower placed behind the ear. Don't stress out about taking proffesional pictures, you can even use your phone!