Pirae, Tahiti – Concerns have been mounting among participants in the Heiva i Tahiti regarding potential disruption caused by the 2027 Pacific Games, with rumors even suggesting the cultural festival could be canceled outright. However, organizers have moved to reassure artists and the public that the Heiva will indeed take place, though a modified format is being considered.
The anxieties stem from the planned apply of Place To’ata for the 3×3 basketball competition, scheduled for August 5-7, 2027, as part of the broader Pacific Games. This overlap prompted fears within dance and music groups that the Heiva, a cornerstone of Tahitian culture, would be displaced. The 2027 Pacific Games, officially known as the XVIII Pacific Games, are set to run from July 24 to August 8, 2027, with Pirae, Tahiti, as the host city.
“There will be a Heiva,” affirmed Charlotte Genton, director of the sports department for the Tahiti 2027 organizing committee. “The organization of an event the size of the Games inevitably requires coexisting with other significant events on the territory, whether they are sporting, cultural, or institutional. For the 3×3 basketball, our approach was based on anticipation, identifying potential areas of overlap early on. We consulted with all stakeholders and adapted, adjusting our schedules and logistical arrangements.”
Genton explained that the strength of the To’ata venue lies in its existing infrastructure. “There are no stands or screens to build; everything is already there,” she said. “A 3×3 basketball court can be set up in two or three hours.” This rapid transition capability is a key factor in mitigating potential conflicts with the Heiva schedule.
Vaitua Tokoragi, director of the House of Culture and a member of the strategic committee for the Pacific Games, echoed Genton’s assurances. “The festivities of the Heiva i Tahiti will be maintained in 2027. The 3×3 basketball competitions of the Pacific Games, which will take place on the To’ata showground, will not impact our beautiful cultural event.”
The Heiva is traditionally held over the first three weeks of July, creating a substantial gap between its conclusion and the start of the basketball competition in early August. This timeframe allows for the transformation of the cultural venue into a sporting arena. According to the recently released Games calendar, this separation provides ample time for logistical adjustments.
However, organizers are too exploring the possibility of adapting the Heiva’s format in 2027, recognizing the unique cultural significance of the year coinciding with the Pacific Games. The Ministry of Culture has indicated a consideration of a festival-style format, similar to the Tahiti Ti’ Ma’i festival held in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic. That event allowed groups to perform at To’ata without the traditional song and dance competitions.
“Because of the particular cultural impact of the Heiva in 2027, coinciding with the launch of the Pacific Games, the Country is considering the format of the festivities this year,” a statement from the Ministry of Culture explained. “This is to federate groups from all the archipelagos around the event.”
No final decision has been made, and Minister Samantha Bonet-Tirao has emphasized the importance of consulting with all cultural actors before proceeding. A strategic committee will be established to involve group leaders and various cultural and educational services in the discussion.
The Pacific Games Council selected Tahiti as the host for the 2027 Games in November 2021, choosing the French Polynesian territory over Vanuatu. Six countries and territories initially expressed interest in hosting the event, including American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, and Tonga. Fiji withdrew its bid in 2021 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, while American Samoa, Guam, and Tonga were eliminated during the selection process.
This isn’t the first time Tahiti has hosted the Pacific Games, previously doing so in 1971 in Papeete and 1995 in Pirae. The 2027 edition aims to showcase both athletic prowess and the rich cultural heritage of French Polynesia. The organizers are keen to emphasize that the Games and the Heiva are not competing events, but rather complementary celebrations of Pacific identity.
The next step involves the formation of the strategic committee to discuss the Heiva’s format and ensure the smooth integration of both events. Further updates will be released by the Ministry of Culture and the Tahiti 2027 organizing committee as plans develop. The focus remains on delivering a successful Pacific Games and preserving the vibrant tradition of the Heiva i Tahiti.
As preparations continue for the 2027 Pacific Games, the organizers are committed to ensuring that the Heiva i Tahiti remains a central part of the cultural landscape, even as the region prepares to welcome athletes and visitors from across the Pacific.
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