Polyfest returns after disruptions
After four years of disruptions, organisers of the world’s biggest secondary school Pacific and Ma¯ori performance festival are looking forward to the return of Polyfest, ‘‘to some normalcy’’.
The ASB Polyfest will be held in south Auckland, first at the Manukau Sports Bowl until Saturday, and at the Due Drop Events Centre from April 3 to 5 for the Ma¯ori competition.
It will feature traditional Pacific music, dance and reo from high school students, showcasing the diverse cultures of Aotearoa.
Festival director Seuili TerriLeo Mauu said they were expecting a crowd of more than 60,000 people.
There were 181 groups from 55 schools taking part, performing on six stages – Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands, Ma¯ori and diversity.
‘‘Preparations have been going really well, especially with the weather, we’re hoping the weather holds up for us,’’ Mauu said.
‘‘We’ve had disruptions in the past four years so it’s nice to return to some normalcy.’’
In 2019, Polyfest was cut shot because of the March 15 terror attack in Christchurch. The following year it was cancelled two days before the opening because of Covid-19 restrictions.
The festival was postponed to April in 2021 because of the red light traffic system. It was also scaled back, with four performance stages instead of the usual six, and held without any spectators.
Last year, Polyfest went digital for the first time, held again with no crowd.
Mauu said the recent weather events were challenging for organisers, especially with the condition of the venue in south Auckland.
‘‘The venue had lots of water holes here and there so we had a lot of work to get it up to standard for the festival.
‘‘This year, it’s more like a reset and rebuild from Covid and now the weather. We’re working hard to get the venue as safe as possible so everyone can enjoy the show.’’
She said schools from the north will be the ones to watch out for, with the combination of Whangaparoa College and Orewa College.
Mahurangi College too would be a standout, she said.
Auckland Girls Grammar – a favourite on the Samoan stage – would not be performing this year, and former champs Paul’s College have opted to miss out to prepare for a trip to Samoa.
‘‘We have schools that usually come every second year – but missed out because of the disruptions – back. McAuley High School will be performing, after four years of being away. Hastings Boys are also joining us on the diversity stage.
‘‘We have stallholders from the Pacific making a return, and an Aboriginal group that will perform on the diversity stage during one of the breaks.’’
The 2023 theme for Polyfest is Mana Motuhake, which translates to: creating one’s destiny.