Local choreographer dedicates show to iconic Tongan Queen
- 275times
- Jun 6
- 2 min read

This year’s Pacific Dance Festival will feature a special tribute to Tonga's longest reigning monarch, Queen Sālote Tupou III.
Māngere-based choreographer Lyncia Muller brings her story to life through tau‘olunga, contemporary dance, and visual storytelling in a new show titled KUINI: Faiva, Femininity & Legacy.
The idea for KUINI began in 2020 as part of a creative campaign and is now fully realised on stage at the Māngere Arts Centre. Drawing inspiration from traditional tau‘olunga and hip hop, the show reflects Muller’s personal dance journey and cultural identity as a Tongan.
Muller’s admiration for Queen Sālote began in her teenage years, sparked by a photo that had quietly hung in her grandmother’s home.
“A constant figure of inspiration has always been Queen Sālote,” she shares.
“There's this one photo in my Nana's house of this really tall lady ... It wasn’t until I was about 19 or 20 that I looked at it properly and realised—oh my gosh, that’s Queen Sālote.”
Queen Sālote Tupou III ruled Tonga from 1918 to 1965. Renowned for her leadership, she also left behind a rich legacy of poetry and music—elements that deeply resonate with Muller.
“Her music, her poems—they're so beautiful. The metaphors she uses in her poetry are just out of this world.”

KUINI is Muller’s heartfelt dedication to the late monarch.
“My work is a tribute to Queen Sālote and the poems she wrote that were later turned into songs,” she says.
“She was a female leader, and what resonates with me is her love and passion for the arts.”
Muller sees Queen Sālote as a trail-blazer—not only as a leader, but as a champion of women and culture.
“She’s been one of the greatest leaders Tonga has ever had. And because she was a woman leading at such a young age, it’s even more powerful,” Muller reflects.
“She paved the way for the arts in Tonga, elevated women, and fought for women’s rights.”
Through KUINI, Muller hopes to inspire other young Pacific women to pursue their own creative paths.
“Believe in yourself and keep going—we need more women in the arts,” she says.
“If we keep moving forward together, we can make a difference.”
Get your tickets for the show at eventfinda.co.nz. Māngere Arts Centre, 10 and 11 June.
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