Fiji dancers banned from New Zealand

DENIED: Fijian dancers Samu Cama and Patricia Naisara have been denied entry to New Zealand because of a 'smart sanction' ban.

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Two dancers in a top Fiji group have been banned from entering New Zealand because their fathers are in the military, the Fiji Sun reports today.

The Vou Dance group are due to perform at next week's Pasifika Festival in Auckland.

But the Sun says two performers, Patricia Naisara and Samu Cama, have been refused entry into New Zealand.

Since the Fiji Military overthrew a democratic government in 2006, New Zealand and Australia has "smart sanctions" in place, banning entry of coup leaders and their families.

Vou Dance group will still perform in New Zealand, but with only nine dancers instead of 11.

"We are sad about this as we are all close," composer and choreographer, Sachiko Miller told the newspaper.

"It is sad to leave them behind as they are amazing performers."

All performers in the group are from Fiji; some are professional musicians and dancers while others are either studying or working.

"We will be conducting dance workshops at the University of Auckland," Ms Miller said.

"We will be undertaking a collaboration with Australian-based Papua New Guinean contemporary dance group Sunameke that performed in the Miss South Pacific Pageant and will perform together at the Pasifika Festival."

The Vou Dance group raised $10,000 to pay for their trip to New Zealand.

- © Fairfax NZ News