Pacific festival gears up
Island unity will take precedence over school colours at this Friday’s Northern Region Polynesian Festival.
Troupes from the Porirua basin colleges, plus Onslow and Newlands, will wow a capacity audience at Te Rauparaha Arena with their passion for Pacific culture.
For the first time, students from Samuel Marsden Whitby and Te Kura Maori o Porirua will be taking part.
The theme is ‘‘ Voyaging Pasefika’’, and in a departure from previous events, it will be done island by island, rather than school by school.
Mana College will host this year’s event.
The 86 student participants have been working hard since April, says co-organiser Hana Tusa.
‘‘This festival is an amazing chance to celebrate the identity and culture of Pacific people in Porirua.
‘‘These [Mana College] guys have been practising twice a week, at night and at the weekends sometimes.
‘‘The commitment is fantastic and they are really looking forward to showing what they’ve got.’’
There will be a combined Tokelau group from all colleges and the Te Kura Maori o Porirua are fresh from kapa haka nationals, so will be in fine form, Ms Tusa says.
Each item will last 10 or 15 minutes.
Sasa, slap and poi dances, haka, and items traditional to the different Pacific islands will be performed.
Northern Region Polynesian Festival, August 3, Te Rauparaha Arena. Tickets $10, doors open at 4pm.