Aruna Po-Ching

Aruna Po-Ching started her formal training as an actor with Pacific Theatre in 1990. Film, television, theatre, musicals and freelance singing, Aruna gained her experiences in both Auckland and Australia and became a professional Polynesian dancer and singer from 1998. Aruna's skills expanded to and included African dancer and backing vocalist for bands, radio announcer on indigenous radio station Koori Radio, MC for dance shows and festivals and featured dance spots on commercials and short films. In 2000, Aruna founded Pasifika Sway, Polynesian dance theatre company, studying, teaching and experimenting with Polynesian dance and other ethnic styles merged together choreography showcase in Sydney festivals, Bodies, Bienalle and Pacific Wave. In 2010, Aruna opened the very first officially sanctioned hula school in Auckland's history Halau Ka Waikahe Lani Malie (Peaceful Heavenly Flowing Waters School) perpetuating Hawaiian hula in educational, private, corporate and arts sector. In 2017, Aruna graduated at South Seas Film and Television School with a Dip. Documentary Directing and Research and Auckland University of Technology (AUT) with graduate Dip in Creative Writing (Screenwriting) with Andrew Bancroft. Currently as an actor enjoying roles in NZ television and films while writing feature films.