ASB Polyfest kicks off in a Fortnight

ASB Polyfest kicks off in a Fortnight

The Manukau Sports Bowl will burst into life in two weeks’ time with the 41st staging of the ASB Polyfest. From Wednesday, 16 March to Saturday, 19 March the Sports Bowl will reverberate with traditional song and dance from Auckland’s diverse cultures.

ASB Polyfest 2016 features music, dance, costume and speech from over 9000 secondary school students across Auckland, with a record 228 performing groups entered. Student performers from more than 64 schools will compete across six stages throughout the festival’s four days. With stages dedicated to Cook Island, Maori, Niuean, Samoan, Tongan performances, the sixth stage, known as the festival’s Diversity stage will feature performances from cultures such as Chinese, Fijian, Tokelauan, Indian, Korean and Sri Lankan cultures.

The ASB Polyfest has developed into an integral part of the secondary school calendar, and has become an iconic Auckland event.

At last night’s festival launch event held at ASB’s North Wharf, the Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown said – “if anything spells out the essence of Auckland, it is the ASB Polyfest.”

The Headmaster of Mt Albert Grammar, and Chair of the ASB Polyfest Trust, Patrick Drumm described the ASB Polyfest as – “an affirmation of young people, and the importance of culture and identity”

After more than 32 years, ASB has returned as principal sponsor of ASB Polyfest. ASB Head of Community and Sponsorship Mark Graham said the Bank is once again looking forward to being involved in the festival.

At the launch Mark Graham said - “At ASB we strive to embrace diversity across all areas of our business and the many communities in which we operate. After more than 32 years of involvement with ASB Polyfest, it continues to be a highlight on our calendar.”

“It has been a privilege to see ASB Polyfest grow from small beginnings into a large-scale celebration of Auckland’s diverse cultural communities. With six stages and more than 9,000 performers, we look forward to yet another fantastic year of cultural celebrations,” Mr Graham says.

With a fortnight until the ASB Polyfest powhiri on the morning of Wednesday 16 March, 9000 students across Auckland are practising hard in final rehearsals after school, and planning weekend practice camps, while tutors and family will be frantically preparing costumes.

Students will then take to ASB Polyfest’s six stages at the Manukau Sports Bowl from 16-19 March filled with passion and pride, as they represent their schools and cultures, and compete for the honour of being named the festival’s best performing group.

Schools with hosting responsibilities at the 2016 ASB Polyfest are –

Kura Matua

TWWOA Maori Stage Nga Puna O Waiorea – Western Springs College

Mana Kura

AUT University Cook Islands Stage Epsom Girls Grammar School

ACG Tertiary & Careers Diversity Stage Botany Downs Secondary School

MIT Niue Stage Alfriston College

The University of Auckland Samoan Stage Mangere College

Massey University Tongan Stage Southern Cross Campus

The theme that Nga Puna O Waiorea – Western Springs College - has selected for this year’s ASB Polyfest is - “Return to our natural resources – for body and spiritual well-being”

For More Information:

Event Director: Theresa Howard

Phone: (09) 523-4212

Mobile: (021) 407-364

Email: director@asbpolyfest.co.nz

Media Liaison: Dean Wilson

Phone: (09) 620-1121

Mobile: (021) 637-646

Email: media@asbpolyfest.co.nz

Key Details:

Event: ASB Polyfest

Dates: 16 - 19 March 2016

Place: Manukau Sports Bowl, Te Irirangi Drive, Manukau

Entry: $5. Preschool children are free

Website: www.asbpolyfest.co.nz

ENDS

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