Thousands turn out for Pasifika Festival opening day Featured
Minister of Pacific Islands Affairs Alfred Ngaro opens up the Tongan village.
25 March, 2017. The sound of drum beats, ukuleles and beautiful Pacific voices are filling the air at Auckland's annual Pasifika Festival, today.
Thousands of people of all races and ages are at Western Springs soaking in the atmosphere wandering through the 11 Pasifika villages that each represent a Pacific nation, along the winding pathways and lakes of Western Springs Park.
It is the 25th year of the festival and unsuspecting visitors to the park would be forgiven for thinking they had somehow been transported to a far-flung Pacific destination.
The event includes approximately 220 performance groups (both local and international) and more than 200 food and craft stalls.
Despite damp weather, there is a festival atmosphere in the crowd.
Whether it be the Tahitian Mangareva dancers performing the legend of One Hina or the fiercely orchestrated choreography of the Tongan brass bands, each Pacific nation is proudly sharing its culture with the growing crowd.
The food stalls include an array of cuisine from across the Pacific, including the traditional dishes such as chop sui, to the dark Vanuatu chocolate and Palaun coconut treats.
A local visitor from the Cook Islands - Tua, who had been to 22 of the 25 years of Pasifika said he was just happy to be there with his family.
Minister for Pacific Peoples Alfred Ngaro said he was around when it was just a picnic where Pasifika families came along.
"We enjoyed what it meant to be Pasifika. That means there is plenty of food, plenty of fun, families together and really that tradition has carried on to where it is today."
Biggest event of its kind in the world
Pasifika's co-founder, Roy Vaughan, said the very first festival in 1992 attracted around 10,000 visitors.
Over the years it has attracted more than 100,000 people on some days, with 60,000 visitors expected this weekend.
It has grown to become the biggest Pacific Island cultural festival of its kind in the world.
Mr Vaughan said it was now bigger than he ever dreamed it would be.
"It's fantastic to see the reality of it now. It's more than just about culture and commerce, it's about recognition and acceptance and pride in being a Pasifika person."
"It was an event waiting to happen," he said.
The festival is free entry and suitable for all ages.
-RNZI
