Parri$ honoured with Order of Merit award

By Soli Wilson 13 July 2020, 9:00PM

Samoan Kiwi award-winning choreographer, Parris Renee Goebel, has been recognized as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (N.Z.O.M.).

Last week, Ms. Goebel walked on the Government House stage in a flowery gown representing her Samoan culture to receive recognition for her services to dance. It was an honour, she said, something that she could only ever have been dreamt of.

Ms. Goebel was greeted by the country's Governor-General, Dame Patsy Reddy, who bestowed the honour in front of the artist’s proud parents and family.

“I honestly never imagined dance would get me here. Never stop dreaming, never give up and always serve others along your way,” she wrote in a Facebook post in celebration of her achievement.

“To receive this recognition and title for my service to dance is such an honour.”

Ms. Goebels’s dancing career­ – often undertaken with Polyswagg, is formed in a unique style inspired by her Samoan heritage.

Her achievements are no small feat for a former Auckland School Grammar School student who left to focus on dancing.

From there she went on to become a dancer, singer, director and actress in the American 3D dance film ‘Step Up: All In in 2014’.

Dancing with some of the biggest names in the music industry, ‘Parri$’ has become a household name.

She's come from starring in a Justin Bieber music video to iconic Korean music artists to piecing together every move of Jennifer Lopez's Super Bowl halftime performance with Shakira earlier this year.

Goebel is reported to have been back in New Zealand for months, saying she's had a little more time to celebrate her latest achievement closer to family and friends.

The 28-year-old has more than 1.5 million followers on Instagram. 

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By Soli Wilson 13 July 2020, 9:00PM

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