Students traditionally compete on six stages, performing traditional items from the following cultures – Cook Islands, Māori, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and Diversity stage featuring performances from a range of cultural groups including Fijian, Tokelau, Chinese, Korean and Indian.
The four-day festival typically opens with a flag raising ceremony conducted by Tainui Kaumatua, Stage Representatives, along with the Kura Matua Host Schools and the other Mana Kura Host Schools for each stage. Polyfest, now one of the largest Pacific festivals in the world, began in 1976. Students, Michael Rollo and Mata Te Kii Raela, and staff members, Mr Bill Tawhai, Mr Hone and Mrs Heni Green, envisioned the festival’s potential success. The inaugural Polyfest festival was held at Hillary college Otara , and was well supported by students, parents, school staff and the wider community. Despite only four schools participating, the establishment of Polyfest was a huge success.
My first experience at Polyfest
I went to Polyfest 2024 it was a great first time. At 8:30 the year 7 & 8 also kapa haka and Pacifica lined up in the school hall, we got into our groups I had Bryan, Tyreese, Liko and some other people but most importantly our group leader was… JIM! he was really nice to us and funny as well . Our group was on the last bus and got on last we got to the area add did laps of the block then when we stopped we had to empty our drink bottles. I don’t know why but its fine, then we had a random bag search we got to the main area then did some dancing then did a walk around then went to the diversity stage. Indonesia, India, Samoa all performed. Alfriston college and EGGS were both very good. Then we walked to the haka stage we walked up to the stands I noticed there was a bike track around the area. Alfriston college was doing a haka, I knew it as Alfriston college because of their takahea its louder than any takahea I ever heard before. Then we went back to the main stage and then went back to school.
Year 7&8 should perform at Polyfest because we are good.