Celebrating 50 years of culture and resilience: ASB Polyfest shines light on Pacific identity

During a time when Pasifika families across Aotearoa New Zealand faced institutional discrimination, a glimmer of hope began to shine in a South Auckland schoolyard.

In 1975, while the Dawn Raids left the Pacific community feeling helpless, frightened, and confused, a group of students came together to create the first-ever Polynesian Festival (Polyfest) in Aotearoa.

This historical movement aimed to celebrate Māori and Pasifika identity.

Fifty years later, the heartbeat of Polyfest remains unchanged – a celebration of cultural identity, strength, and unity that embodies the spirit of those first students who dared to stand tall in their identities.

Seiuli Teri Leo-Mauu, of Sāmoan descent, has been the director of the ASB Polyfest since 2017, after 12 years as a sponsor. The festival will be held from 2-6 April at the Manukau Sports Bowl.

This year’s Polyfest theme, Legacy - A Treasure Handed Down, reflects the importance of acknowledging the festival’s impact on Pacific and Māori communities.

“For our young people, some of them might think that this is how it’s always been, but they don’t know and understand the struggles that we’ve come through to get the festival to where it is today,” Seiuli tells Pacific Days host Nemai Tagicakibau.

“They don’t recall the dawn raids and the things that our people were going through in the 1970s, as all of this was happening.”

Seiuli highlights the significance of honouring the festival’s history and the challenges that have been overcome.

Watch Seiuli Teri Leo-Mauu's full interview below.

The 2019 event was cut short because of the Christchurch shooting, the 2020 festival was cancelled due to Covid-19 lockdowns, and the 2022 Polyfest took place without live audiences.

“We want them to remember where they’ve come from and celebrate that we’ve overcome some of those struggles and that we’re going into the brighter future, so you remember the tributes to many of our people who have passed away since then,” Seiuli says.

As Polyfest prepares to celebrate five decades of cultural pride, she highlights the festival’s lasting impact.

“We always knew that the 50th was going to be something very special that people would want to come back for.

“The main thing is that it shows the impact that this festival has had over the years and many generations of families who have come through.

Polyfest is the world's largest cultural school festival, attracting visitors from across Aotearoa and the globe. Photo/file.

“We’ve got children of children of children who are coming through this festival. We even know people who have five generations of their family come through the festival.

“We’ve got stallholders who have come to sell at this festival and gotten their kids through university with what they make. So we know the impact that this festival has,” she says.

As Polyfest marks its 50th year, it serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and pride of Polynesian communities.

What began as a student-led act of cultural defiance has become a vibrant celebration of identity and unity, inspiring new generations to stand tall.

This year’s 4–day festival will feature a record 77 schools and 291 performance groups.

Due to the increased number of participants, the event’s traditional pōwhiri and welcoming ceremony will be held on Tuesday rather than Wednesday.

If you are planning to attend Polyfest, here are some valuable tips:

Tickets and admission

Tickets can be purchased online for $7.50 or on-site for $10. Children under five years old are free.

You can also watch livestreams of the six stages (Māori, Sāmoa, Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands, and Diversity) online. Follow this link for livestream details.

How to get there

The Manukau Sports Bowl is within walking distance of the Manukau Train Station and Manukau Bus Terminal. Visit the Bus Train Ferry website for timetable and route information.

Limited public parking is available on-site. Vehicle access is via Boundary Road. The public parking fee is $5 per vehicle (cash only), and there is limited parking for people with disabilities.

Festival organisers advise the public to arrive early due to limited parking.

A map showing the entry and exits at Manukau Sports Bowl. Photo/ASB Polyfest.

Merchandise and food

Commemorative 50th-anniversary merchandise, including hoodies, bucket hats, and t-shirts, will be available on-site and online.

A variety of traditional and modern Pacific Island cuisine will be available for sale at the food stalls.

Seiuli recommends bringing sunscreen and water. Water stations will also be available to keep attendees hydrated.

For more information about the upcoming festival, visit https://www.asbpolyfest.co.nz/