Our work | Cultural diversity
ASB PolyFest celebrates diverse cultures
The 2007 ASB PolyFest, held in March, showcased Auckland's diverse cultures and involved more than 8500 performers celebrating music, dance and art.
Supported by Creative New Zealand with a $26,000 grant through the Arts Board, the 2007 ASB PolyFest involved 184 student groups representing 60 Auckland schools competing over four days.
Hosted by James Cook High School for the third time, the ASB Polyfest was attended by approximately 90,000 people over the four days. Event Director Craig Seuseu says that with each festival, the standard of performance and the competitiveness spirit between schools increases.
"But the one thing that stays the same every year is the enormous honour and pride that students have in their school, their culture and their performance. It is this pride that stands out in each and every performance," he says.
The festival has five large stages where Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Cook Island and Niuean cultural groups perform. There are also performances from Arabic, Indian, Sri Lankan, Korean and Chinese groups.
The theme for the 2007 festival was "Ka To He Ra, Ka Rere He Ra - A Sun Sets. A Day is Born", honouring the passing of the Maori Queen, Dame Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, and the King of Tonga, King Taufa'ahou Tupou IV, and the arrival of a new era of sovereignty for their peoples.
