Pupils put on Polyfest performance

Pupils from Portobello School perform at the opening of the Otago Polyfest 2019 at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin yesterday evening.

Now in its 26th year, the festival showcases performances by thousands of tamariki and rangatahi from around Otago. The performances include kapa haka and Pasifika cultural pieces.

Thousands thronged the arena yesterday evening to hear dignitaries, including Otakou kaumatua Edward Ellison and Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, welcome attendees.

Mr Cull spoke of the importance of everyone attempting to learn some te reo and made special mention of Pasifika people in Otago, who he said were an important part of ‘‘our warm and diverse social tartan’’.

A performance by King’s and Queen’s High Schools kapa haka group He Waka Kotuia rounded out proceedings.

The festival will run through the week. The final session and closing ceremony will be on Friday.

Nau mai ki Te Wiki o te Reo Maori.

Welcome to Maori Language Week.

Te reo is being celebrated across the South and beyond this week as part of the annual cultural celebrations Te Wiki o te Reo Maori.

Among those taking part in the week of cultural learning are Omakau School children (top, from left) Sadidas Gardiner Paikea (6), Meg Kirk (7) and Aaleyah Caughey (7), who have been busy reading te reo, making poi and Maori bread.

They will also spend the week doing weaving and playing various games, among other activities.

Meanwhile in Oamaru, library assistant Lisa PotakaRoss

(bottom) holds up a prize for participants, a reusable grocery bag, as she gets ready to host another round of wharewhare, or bingo, during Maori Language

Week activities at the library, where lunchtime wharewhare will be played until Thursday.

Maori Language Week has been celebrated each year since 1975.

It coincides with Maori Language Day on September 14, which commemorates the presentation of the 1972 Maori Language petition to Parliament.

It asked for active recognition of te reo Maori.