A reunion celebrating sisterhood: AGGS alumni make a comeback to Polyfest

For the first time in Polyfest history, multigenerational alumni will relive the glory days and take the stage together once again.

Former Sāmoan group performers from Auckland Girls’ Grammar School (AGGS), known as Teine o le Kalama, will unite in a special performance on Saturday.

Olivia Taouma is among the AGGS old girls celebrating their legacy, warming up the vocal cords, and limbering up for the big day.

“This year, with the theme ‘Legacy’, I think for us has been particularly special, bringing all the old girls together,” Taouma says.

“We have girls, women, who are from their 60s down to 17, 16 years of age, and so that's been really special and really empowering to hear all the different stories.”

With 82 women participating in this monumental occasion, some have travelled from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Hawaii, and Wellington to join the reunion.

Tagata Pasifika reports that the call for the reunion originated from Mandy Momoisea (nee Siitia), a leader and graduate of the 1995 class, who was inspired after volunteering at last year’s festival.

Taouma says there was a mix of excitement and nervousness in response to the reunion call. But as rehearsals got underway, the women were reminded of the lasting bonds of sisterhood.

Taouma’s last Polyfest performance was with the winning AGGS Sāmoan group in 1992. Over the past 50 years, she says the school has topped the table 31 times.

“It’s a really high level and standard for us, but that also has created a foundation of strong sisterhood, empowerment, confidence, and pride in our culture and with each other as women.”

Taouma says a deep connection was formed during this event and is integral not only to the school’s legacy but also to familial and cultural values. Many alumni returned from overseas to rekindle friendships and share memories.

She’s grateful for the warmth and connectedness the women share, hoping to inspire future generations to continue nurturing the AGGS vā.

AGGS Teine o le Kalama 2024 Sāmoan Group - winners of the ASB Polyfest Sāmoan stage. Photo/Facebook

Even challenges like gracefully sitting and standing have been met with mutual support, bringing her to tears as she spoke about the alofa, love, and camaraderie within the group.

“A lot of our women who have found it difficult, like myself, having all the support of the other women to just keep going, keep trying. Trying different techniques to get down and to sit and to get back up and just that sisterhood of support has been incredible.”

Teine o le Kalama Sāmoan Group Alumni will be 82 voices strong for Saturday's performance. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

Family legacy in Sāmoan performance

Taouma’s great-grandmother, Italia Meleisea Taouma, was a renowned taupou, a Sāmoan dancer, and a choreographer for the Western Sāmoa Teachers' College. She was also Taouma’s first siva Sāmoa teacher.

In Sāmoa, Taouma’s father was deeply involved in tourism and promoted Sāmoan dance and music internationally. Taouma was immersed in a world of tradition, teaching, and performing, which shaped her upbringing.

Her daughters are now students at AGGS, exemplifying the transfer of intergenerational knowledge.

It's in the blood. Olivia Taouma with her daughters Asi Taouma Levy (left) and Jada Taouma Levy. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

Jada Lisa Yasmine Taouma Levy, 16, is in her final year of school and considers this performance to be monumental.

“Legacy, to me, is something special, especially for the alumni girls coming in to perform on the same stage as us. Also, my mum is performing with us for the first time, which is cool.”

2025 Teine o le Kalama AGGS Sāmoan Group rehearsing for their stand at the 50th ASB Polyfest. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

Asi Italia Sarona Taouma Levy, 15, feels a strong connection to her cultural heritage in dance.

“My family specifically has always been really close to my Samoan culture, and my mum and her sisters have all been through the AGGS group. So legacy for me is really just carrying their history and what they were doing in their years on my back and supporting that.”

Asi also speaks about the importance of understanding her roots, knowing where she comes from, saying she will proudly carry that torch with her in her performance on Friday at Polyfest.

“On that stage, I know I'll be representing my mum and everybody behind her for that,” Asi says

Big smiles for Jada Taouma Levy. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

As they prepare for Saturday’s performance, Taouma says she is excited about sharing the moment with her sisters, taking pride in their shared culture.

Taouma says she wants to be fully present, knowing that the experience will pass quickly.

Despite the wet weather on Friday, the current AGGS Sāmoan group will perform at 2.25pm, followed by the alumni girls before the Sāmoan Stage prizegiving on Saturday.

For the most up-to-date schedules and information, visit the ASB Polyfest website.