Moana Pasifika were privileged to attend ASB Polyfest 2024 over the weekend, held at the Manukau Sports Bowl in South Auckland.
Polyfest is the world’s biggest secondary school Pacific and Māori performance festival. At this year’s event from March 20th-23rd, there were a record 8,000 students who performed. That included 239 groups from 69 schools across Aotearoa.
The theme of this year’s festival was “Me anga whakamuri kia kohe whakamua” which translates to “looking to our past to determine our future.”
For some Moana Pasifika players it was their first time experiencing Polyfest, and for Winger Anzelo Tuitavuki it brings back some special memories.
“I performed for Liston College in 2014 here at the Tongan stage. Nothing much has changed, still heaps of people,” Tuitavuki said.
That year his group were crowned champions. Now returning 10 years later Tuitavuki sees the significance of the festival.
“For me it means embracing your culture, showcasing your cultural talent and the food. The food here is pretty good,” Tuitavuki said.
Fellow Moana Pasifika and Tongan back Otumaka Mausia said: “It’s a big gathering for our Pacific people to celebrate, perform and showcase our culture. It’s a day for us to bring people closer.”
Across two days the team got to meet kids from different schoools, play games with spectators and team up wtih community partner The Fono to promote their many services of integrated care.
Medical services, financial mentoring and career programs are just some of the many forms of care The Fono delievers, providing better social and health outcomes for everyone.
Moana Pasifika were grateful to be involved in a major event on the community calendar and look forward to more in the future.
ENDS
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