Polyfest

2023 - 3 - 8

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Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

Polyfest: Diversity shines on day one of hotly anticipated competition (Stuff.co.nz)

They were followed by performances from Fijian, Tahitian, i-Kiribati, Tuvaluan, Hawaiian and Filipino groups, plus an African Fusion group. More from Stuff: * ...

[people outside the Fijian community](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/130091702/fijian-community-commended-for-strengthening-vosa-vakaviti) was important, she said. “For most of us, we’ve been dancing since we were young. [faced persecution from the military.](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125525253/new-zealand-saved-my-familys-life-and-gave-us-hope-how-refugee-escaped-myanmar-militia-while-others-still-flee-persecution) [Cyclone Gabrielle](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/weather-news/300806341/in-pictures-cyclone-gabrielle-cuts-path-of-destruction). [including several new refugees from Afghanistan](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300062558/coronavirus-life-at-mngere-refugee-resettlement-centre-during-covid19), the school refugee coordinator Rosalie Kwan said. The group was a mix of all kinds of backgrounds, who were all excited about Fijian culture, Vunisa said. [with no holds barred from the performers either](https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/102081475/polyfest-to-see-tens-of-thousands-celebrate-culture-in-south-auckland) – stamping, yelling and gliding across the stage. Group leader Lynette Vunisa said the group had just a little over two weeks to prepare as many girls were affected by the flooding and [Polyfest 2023 to 'reset and rebuild' after four years of interruption](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/131395591/polyfest-2023-to-reset-and-rebuild-after-four-years-of-interruption?rm=a) [Their Punjabi group stood out](https://www.stuff.co.nz/tarana/127153471/punjabis-celebrate-language-week-with-commemorative-postage-stamp-release) for their vibrant costumes, each piece a different colour. [with a full day dedicated to the Diversity Stage](https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/111223618/polyfest-2019-aucklands-diversity-celebrated-by-thousands-at-the-44th-annual-event) – the special competition for school dance groups representing their cultures from all over the world. Other groups on the Diversity stage represented the corners of the Pacific outside of Polynesia, including Fiji, Tahiti, Kiribati and more.

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Carmel Sepuloni: Tāmaki Makaurau/Aukilani/Auckland the real ... (New Zealand Herald)

Beginning in 1976, ASB Polyfest has been a highlight of our annual arts and culture calendar and a staple festival event for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. It's a ...

To everyone heading along, I encourage you to soak up the beauty of our cultural performances, and the wonderful food, arts and crafts stalls that’ll be on show as well. This funding has not only allowed festivals to recover from the immediate and sustained impacts of Covid-19, but its helped them to really strengthen their respective infrastructures enabling them to deliver these festivals. Beginning in 1976, ASB Polyfest has been a highlight of our annual arts and culture calendar and a staple festival event for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

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Image courtesy of "1 News"

Polyfest makes its grand return after 4 years of disruptions (1 News)

The Auckland cultural festival will see 181 groups from 55 secondary schools take to the stage over four days.

"They’re all ready just to take to the stage and represent their culture, represent their families." "We’re so humbled. Really grateful to the weather as well and just really excited to see all our young people take to the stage again," Polyfest event director Seiuli Terri Leo-Mauu told Breakfast.

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Image courtesy of "Newshub"

Polyfest 2023: Over 60000 expected at returning cultural festival (Newshub)

More than 60,000 people are expected to attend the return of cultural event ASB Polyfest in Auckland over the coming days. The 2023 festival marks the ...

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Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

In pictures: Auckland schools wow on day one of Polyfest (Stuff.co.nz)

The schools took to the Diversity Stage, added to honour the cultures that weren't previously included.

* [The ASB Polyfest is being held over two dates, ](https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/131379964/polyfest-2023-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-cultural-competition)first at the Manukau Sports Bowl from March 8–11 and from April 3–5 at the Due Drop Events Centre for the Māori competition.

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Polyfest 2023: Embracing the world's cultures (New Zealand Herald)

Though the festival is known for its fierce competitions across the Samoan, Tongan, Cook Island, Niuean and kapa haka stages, over the years it has expanded to ...

“The kids embrace it even though you know they’re tired, they’re good. Day two of the festival brings another day of solid and colourful performances on the Diversity Stage. Students are speaking in their mother tongue on various topics and issues - including the importance of keeping languages alive and the effects of climate change in the Pacific region. It’s hard but at the end of the day it’s rewarding. Polyfest is back in full force, with a sunny day of vibrant song and dance at the festival’s Diversity Stage. Asian representation continued through the day with modern and traditional items from the Philippines, with students from Manurewa High School waving the nation’s flag across the stage during their set.

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Image courtesy of "The Spinoff"

Highlights from day one at ASB Polyfest 2023 (The Spinoff)

One of the biggest events on Auckland's calendar is back to normality after a few years of cancellation and altering. Sela Jane Hopgood checks in from ASB ...

McAuley High School has entered the only Tokeluan group in the competition and are performing at 10am. Mt Richmond Special School has entered a Pasifika Fusion group; Avondale College has a Japanese group participating after the lunch hour and Papatoetoe High School’s Fijian and Tahitian group are ones to catch if you’re passing by. General vibe: The first day of Polyfest is usually not as busy and so there wasn’t much foot traffic. Find Sim-plee Smoothies outside the VIP lounge, in between Diversity stage and Tongan stage. The group’s supervisor Nalina Chand says the lead-up has been difficult due to the students balancing Polyfest practise and rugby training. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic cancelled the four-day festival.

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Polyfest 2023: Family recipe proves to be the winning ticket for two ... (New Zealand Herald)

Paper plates piled with barbequed chicken, chopsuey, a Raro donut and that famous pink potato salad make up the perfect hot plate at this year's Polyfest.

This is what we love.” This is what we do. “I love the mainese. That’s our point of difference,” says Beigh Mariner, who has been with the team for nine years. We do it from scratch. Today’s option is pumpkin poke.

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Polyfest back after four years of cancellations and disruptions (RNZ)

Secondary school-aged performers were welcomed at a pōwhiri on Wednesday for the event's 48th anniversary. Polyfest's theme this year is mana motuhake - ...

"It's a real resetting and rebuilding stage for us. This year will see 181 groups from 55 schools compete and perform at two different events. [it went virtual](https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/464030/covid-restrictions-mean-a-different-look-for-polyfest-celebration), with no live audience, sponsors or stalls, and groups performing individually without interaction with other groups. In 2020 the festival was cancelled altogether as Covid-19 began spreading in the community, less than two weeks before the country went into lockdown. Covid-19 again, [this time the growing Omicron outbreak](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/464041/polyfest-2022-supporters-cheer-livestream-from-afar). ["The vibe is so good" - Polyfest director Seiuli Terri Leo-Mauu duration 3:05](/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018881052/polyfest-kicks-off-in-tamaki-makaurau) [Download](https://podcast.radionz.co.nz/mnr/mnr-20230309-0756-largest_cultural_festival_begins_in_tamaki_makaurau-128.mp3) ["The vibe is so good" - Polyfest director Seiuli Terri Leo-Mauu](/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018881052/polyfest-kicks-off-in-tamaki-makaurau)

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Image courtesy of "waateanews.com"

Smoke, fire and Turkish delight for Polyfest (waateanews.com)

A chemical explosion couldn't stop Tamaki Makaurau's much anticipated, much delayed, annual secondary schools' cultural festival coming back.

We’ve got a fire dance group coming from Hawaii. We’ve got an Aboriginal group from Australia to perform during the breaks. “We’ve got our first Turkish group coming in this year on the diversity stage.

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Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

Polyfest day 2: Papatoetoe High students shine with four class acts (Stuff.co.nz)

Papatoetoe High students dominated the afternoon on the second day of Polyfest, the world's largest secondary school competition for cultural dance.

“It’s a pure thing to do,” she said. This is our way of showing each culture’s folk dances.” That in itself was enough – winning would be a “cherry on the top”. Dittmer said returning to a live crowd after many years of disruption felt amazing. Finally, the Indian group performed. Everyone should see the different cultures – you can’t come to India and go all around in one go. Their group also included two boys in traditional liku, or grass skirt. “To be able to stand in a group of a culture I’m not a part of is a massive feeling of pride,” he said. The crowd’s near constant cheering was a “boost of energy,” she said. “It was kind of scary with a big as crowd,” Bataillard said. “But it was good!” She didn’t want to jinx their chances of winning by guessing their chances. Up first was the Fijian group, which excelled in 2022 and won first place in the Oceania category of the

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