New Zealand Māori cross-cultural gender-bender, Mika, created a magical celebration of Auckland in all its glorious colour and diversity.

AROHA Mardi Gras was an exhilarating music, dance, art, fashion, drag, burlesque and multicultural performance showcase. Mika stirred up a 21st Century cultural melting pot of tangata whenua and manuhiri from all shores into a spectacular two hour entertainment experience.

The free celebration of Auckland City colour and diversity was supported by the REAL New Zealand Festival and Te Puni Kōkiri during Rugby World Cup 2011.

Outrageous, eye-opening and extremely entertaining, Mika’s AROHA Mardi Gras combined the myriad of cultures that now call Aotearoa home – Japanese Taiko drummers, Polynesian dancers, Bollywood performers, belly dancers, and show-stopping drag and transgender performers – with traditional and techno-inspired Māori kapa haka crews.

This multicultural carnival also featured popular soul and reggae singers, award-winning actors and TV personalities, a full Kim Crawford Creative Fusion fashion show from contemporary korowai designer Kiri Nathan, former All Blacks and Olympians, fresh and funky Mai FM Kā 400 flash-mobs, the mighty Te Tai Tonga kapa haka group, local 1st XV rugby teams, and a scrum pack of New Zealand’s favourite celebrities.