Pasifika Festival ready to go

Pasifika Festival ready to go

New events, old favourites, cultural workshops, tasty treats and much more await visitors to Auckland’s annual Pasifika Festival when it starts on Sunday 6 March.

The 2011 Pasifika Festival is the largest and most significant cultural festival in the South Pacific. A major highlight of Auckland’s events calendar, it offers something for everyone and attracts more than 250,000 visitors during a busy week of events in the centre of Auckland and at Western Springs.

The festival launches at the Auckland Arts Festival TV3 Garden Stage in Aotea Square, 10.30am to 12.30pm on Sunday 6 March. Performers include Te Riri O te O, Te Ariki Vaine Polynesian dance group and Sa-Move.

The launch event will begin with a performance by a Tongan brass band, a mihi and blessing from tangata whenua before the Reverend William Cuthers leads the assembled group in prayer. After the prayer Auckland Mayor Len Brown will speak. The launch event marks the start of a week-long programme of events including traditional and contemporary music and dance, art exhibitions, debates and workshops.

Auckland’s popular Pasifika Festival is a free celebration organised annually by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd on behalf of Auckland Council. It is the biggest annual event in the Auckland region, attracting more than 250,000 people across the week of events.

Pasifika Festival 2011 is proudly supported by Air New Zealand, Flava 95.8, AUT, Smokefree, Pacific Media Network, Creative New Zealand, Nautilus Foundation, Tip Top Ice-cream, Maori Television, Dawn Raid Entertainment and The Edge.

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