Insight '84 looks at street dancing and the street scene in New Zealand.
An unidentified man explains in New Zealand breakdancing was introduced through the Samoan community, who picked it up from cousins in American Samoa.
A young man explains the difference between ' breaking' and 'bopping.'
The physical demands of breakdancing are discussed, with many hours of practice required. Between 500 and 600 teams are thought to exist in New Zealand now.
Troy O'Dea and Trevor Lynch of the Megazoids, one of Auckland's best breakdancing crews say August 1983 was when the craze really began to appear on local streets. Competitions are being organised and they say they see it as a potential profession, with demands coming in for them to perform around the country. for a 20 minute show they average $200-$300 which is split between the six members.
Simon van der Laan [?], a promoter, talks about setting up a break-dancing competition and allegations of exploiting young people.
Alice Dargaville, a social worker and Petelo Petelo of Wellington team Kinetic Energy comment about the competition scene, and most of the money going towards the promoters. He says United Youth Society has been formed to run competitions which are fairer for all the competitors.
Alice Dargaville talks about Māori youth learning more about their culture through dance events being held at marae.
Petelo says Samoan youth like him are finding out more about their culture and their churches are supporting breakdancing. He says dancing is a source of pride for young Samoans and denies that breakdancers are all street kids, as some media coverage implies.
Another young man says street kids are drawn to watch breakdancing, but teams require them to be at home to be team members, so it has got some kids off the streets, in order to take part.
Dixon Chapman, a social worker, talks about the involvement of Wellington street kids in the city's street dance scene. Sergeant John Hutton, Wellington Police youth aid section also comments.
Paula Dickens, Department of Social Welfare talks about the issues around providing housing for homeless young people.
Topsy Ruti [?] of the Department of Māori Affairs and Jim Glynn, Wellington's Deputy Police Commander, add their views about breakdancing and youth homelessness.
Retailers have voiced concern about crowds of young people gathering on shopping nights to watch impromptu contests - an unidentified retailer complains about the crowds blocking access but says the dancers themselves are well-behaved.
Another man talks about glue-sniffing youngsters causing havoc in his shop, but says they are not necessarily break-dancers.
The role break-dancing plays in defusing tension between different groups of young people is discussed, but a young woman says a friend of hers who is a skinhead was attacked by break-dancers.