March 14, 2019
Cultural mix and match at Polyfest
The Auckland Secondary Schools Cultural Competitions step up a notch this morning as the Pacific Island and Diversity Stages open up alongside the Māori stage.
More than 12,000 students from 66 schools will perform, and organisers expect big crowds of spectators at the Manukau Sports Bowl over the next three days.
South Auckland kaumātua Rangi McLean, who took part in yesterday’s pōwhiri, says Polyfest is a testimony to the passion cultural activities inspire in rangatahi and to the relationships and connections they form because of it.
"We have our whanaunga from the Pacific islands participating in the kapa haka. I have also heard the kōrero from the students themselves that there are Māori participating in the Pacific island items on the stages as well, and that's got to be good for us," he says.
Representatives of Te Matatini winners Ngā Tūmanako participated in the event to lay down the challenge for Te Matatini 2021 at Eden park and also as a reminder to people that just a few years ago many of its members were on the stage at Polyfest.
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