The strength of culture shines through at Polyfest 2021

By Education Gazette editors

Issue: Volume 100, Number 5

Posted: 23 April 2021

Reference #: 1HAK99

The Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival (ASB Polyfest) has become a shining moment of 2021, following a two-year hiatus. The celebration of culture and diversity was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2019, the Christchurch tragedy on March 15 affected the last day of performances.

A resilient, hopeful, and passionate community lit up Manukau from April 14-17, with breath-taking performances, bright colours, and big smiles all-round.

Students competed on five stages, performing traditional items from the following cultures – Cook Islands, Māori, Niue, Samoan and Tongan. There was also a diversity stage featuring performances from Fijian, Tokelau, Chinese, Korean, Tuvalu, Hawaii, Sri Lanka, Kiribati and Indian groups.

Connected through culture, and fun: The Sri Lankan group from Avondale College are all smiles and laughs on and off-stage

Resilience and hope: Even the rain couldn’t dampen this momentous event. What’s not captured on camera are the schools and groups who took this moment to sing and dance as they shltered – an embodiment of the spirit of Pacific communities.