Taste of Pasifika offers revamped celebration

Auckland’s revamped Pasifika Festival has been revealed, with a programme highlighting the tastes, sounds and beats of the Pacific.

The festival was cancelled in March because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic so the Taste of Pasifika 2022 was born, a revamped version of the beloved festival that has been a staple on Auckland’s event calendar for 30 years.

This year’s event — run by Auckland Unlimited — will start on Friday, June 3, and run until Sunday, June 19, with events and programmes at some of Auckland’s top venues.

The first part of the festival will kick off at The Cloud, Queens Wharf, over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend and will include performances across two stages by Pacific cultural dance groups.

Just like the traditional Pasifika at Western Springs, visitors will be able to taste various Pacific Island foods and delicacies at food stalls.

Handicraft stalls will also be on site, offering traditional treasures.

On the weekend of June 11, the festival will head to South Auckland to the Vodafone Events Centre for an Xtreme Hip-Hop event.

On June 12 and 19, the festival will be at Lilyworld at Mt Smart Stadium for Sunday soul sessions.

On June 18, Taste of Pasifika makes its way to the Auckland Zoo; where the mind and body will be the focus in what has been described as a one-of-a-kind Poly movement for all.