The Northern Express Herald

On The Up: Gisborne hip-hop combo qualify for Unite world champs in Tauranga

98 Cents and The AUNTIE$ competed at the Hip Hop Unite competition in Lower Hutt. They are Paul Hawaikirangi (from left), Jaeda Mapu, Julie Walker and Kylah Ashwell.

Gisborne hip-hop dancers Julie Walker and Jaeda Mapu, who perform as The AUNTIE$, won the master duo category at this year’s Hip Hop Unite nationals in Lower Hutt.

They will represent New Zealand at the Hip Hop Unite World Championships 2026 in Tauranga in October.

It is the first time the worlds will be held in New Zealand.

The AUNTIE$ are the first competition duo to be coached by the 98 Cents combination of Kylah Ashwell and Paul Hawaikirangi.

Ashwell trained the dancers and choreographed the winning routine to Hawaikirangi’s remix of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation.

Mapu is a tap dancer while Julie Walker is a line dancer. Both are regulars in stage shows in Gisborne.

Hip-hop duo The AUNTIE$ – Jaeda Mapu and Julie Walker – won their category at the Hip Hop Unite National competition in Lower Hutt and will compete at the worlds in Tauranga in October.
Hip-hop duo The AUNTIE$ – Jaeda Mapu and Julie Walker – won their category at the Hip Hop Unite National competition in Lower Hutt and will compete at the worlds in Tauranga in October.

They were surprised to win their section and qualify for the worlds.

“I am very proud of them for giving it a go and working hard to achieve the best result possible,” Ashwell said. “They put in a lot of time and effort to get the gold.”

98 Cents made it to the finals round, but missed out on the top spot this year. They did a routine to another Hawaikirangi remix of Groove Is In The Heartby Deee-Lite.

This year’s competition consisted of 65 duos, along with groups and soloists from across the country.

“The standard of New Zealand hip-hop rises each year,” Ashwell said. “There were a lot of teams running for a spot at the worlds this year because they are in Tauranga, so it’s a lot more accessible.”

98 Cents were last year’s national champions and placed seventh in their category at the World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic.

It’s a busy time for the duo.

They compete at the New Zealand Dance League in SkyCity Theatre later this year, then prepare for the Battle In The Bay competition.

Hawaikirangi is also a judge at the Dancing For Life Education Gisborne fundraiser in July.

At the beginning of the year, 98 Cents started running regular hip-hop classes for ages 5 through to adults.

Some of their dancers had success at the Braemar competitions over King’s Birthday Weekend.

Hip-hop combination Paul Hawaikirangi and Kylah Ashwell, AKA 98 Cents, dancing at the Hip Hop Unite national championships in Lower Hutt.
Hip-hop combination Paul Hawaikirangi and Kylah Ashwell, AKA 98 Cents, dancing at the Hip Hop Unite national championships in Lower Hutt.

Club 98 won the modern/hip-hop group category and were also best entertainment group.

Rain Mapu won the hip-hop solo for 12 years and over. Paora Dench was second in the hip-hop solo for 10 years and over.

Ashwell said their classes were growing each term and enrolment forms would be available soon for Term 3 classes.