9000 Students set to perform at ASB Polyfest

9000 Students set to perform at ASB Polyfest

More than 9000 secondary school students are set to perform in speeches, kapa haka and traditional dance competitions at the Manukau Sports Bowl over the next four days at this year’s ASB Polyfest.

Overall 62 schools are taking part in what has become the largest Maori & Pacific Island Festival in the world. Participating schools come from all over the Auckland region, from Rangitoto College in the North, to Wesley & Waiuku Colleges in the south.

This year’s festival also sees a kapa haka performance from Christchurch’s Rangi Ruru Girls’ School on Thursday, 17 March. Despite the tragedy that struck Christchurch on the 22nd of February, their kapa haka group was determined to make the trip to Auckland to be on stage at this year’s ASB Polyfest.

The 2011 ASB Polyfest will open at 7am on Wednesday, 16 March with a flag raising ceremony conducted by Tainui Kaumatua, stage representatives and the host school. This ceremony takes place at sunrise on the raised ground overlooking the Maori stage. This is followed by the Powhiri which has been the most significant part of the festival since its beginning in 1976.

There will be two stages in action this afternoon. The Hapai Te Hauora Tapui Maori Stage runs from 12noon to 4:30pm today and features kapa haka from nine schools. The Office of Ethnic Affairs Diversity Stage runs from 1pm to 4:30pm today with sixteen different cultural groups. Performances include an African Dance from Waitakere College at 2:50pm, a Bhranatiyam from Diocesan School for Girls at 3:20pm and a Chinese Dragon Dance from Ormiston Senior College at 3:50pm.

The theme for the 2011 ASB Polyfest is:

“Ko te kanorau te matua atua, ko te kotahitanga te koa – Diversity is the magic, Unity is the joy”

This inspiring theme was chosen by the host school for the festival – Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate. This is the sixth time that they have taken on the host school role, since hosting the inaugural ASB Polyfest at their school grounds in 1976.

The theme embodies what the ASB Polyfest is about – an iconic showcase of New Zealand’s diverse cultures and a special celebration of youth performance. The 9000 students will compete on six stages at the festival, performing traditional items from the following cultures – Cook Islands, Maori, Niue, Samoan and Tongan. There is also a Diversity stage featuring performances from a range of cultural groups including Fijian, Tokelau, Chinese, Korean and Indian.

In looking ahead to this year’s festival, Event Director Tania Karauria said:

“The ASB Polyfest celebrates the pride and passion of our Maori and Pacific Island communities through cultural song, dance, speech and art. It is a place where we celebrate youth performance and all that they bring to the future.”

The 2011 ASB Polyfest takes place at the Manukau Sports Bowl from 16 – 19 March. Entry is $5, with preschool children free.

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