Polyfest’s vibrant talent
James Cook High School students dance on the AUT Cook Islands stage at the ASB Polyfest at Manukau sportsbowl yesterday in drier conditions than on the opening day.
The second day of the school competition saw performances on the Unitec Diversity Stage and Te Whare Wãnanga o Awanuiaãrangi Mãori Stage and the University of Auckland staged the Samoan Stage speech competitions. This year’s theme, Mã roto mai i te Ahurea whirikoka, ko te whakaora tinana, hinengaro, wairua me te ira tangata — Healing the body, mind, spirit and soul with the strength of culture — has been retained from last year in a poignant reference to the challenges students have faced with lockdowns and the pandemic restrictions. “This theme is more relevant than ever, given the challenges that ASB Polyfest has faced over the past two years,” festival director Seiuli Terri Leo-Mauu said. The festival continues with dances and drumming from the Pacific Islands on the MIT Niue Stage, University of Auckland Samoan Stage and Massey University Tongan Stage today and the final performances and prizegiving tomorrow.