Canterbury Polyfest to celebrate culture with major upcoming announcement

Excitement is building as the sPACIFICally Pacific (SPACPAC) Canterbury Polyfest prepares for its 24th annual celebration this weekend.

The event will be held at Hagley Park on Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm and is expected to be the largest Polyfest yet, featuring participation from 30 schools across the South Island.

In an interview with PMN Sāmoa host Lani Alo, Alana Batcheler, chairperson of SPACPAC, shares insights into the significance of Polyfest and the preparations underway.

“SPACPAC stands for specifically Pacific," she says. "We’re an organisation, a collective of government agencies, education, tertiary providers, and just volunteers from around Ōtautahi, Canterbury, who have come together and are just trying to strive for our Pacific young people and providing them with opportunities to connect, but also to reach their full potential."

Born and raised in Christchurch with Sāmoan and Invercargill roots, Batcheler works at the University of Canterbury, helping Pacific students transition to tertiary education.

Her involvement with SPACPAC reflects her deep commitment to the Pacific community.

Batcheler highlights the rewarding experiences of witnessing the growth of young people and the evolution of Polyfest over the years.

“I think [the best part of the growth] is seeing students come through different initiatives as they progress through secondary school and then seeing them come full circle,” she says.

“Just seeing all of the skills and things that we’ve helped them to develop or the potential that we’ve helped to bring out of them come into fruition once they go out into the real world and want to give back to our people.”

Watch Alana Batcheler's full intervie on PMN Sāmoa below.

Batcheler encourages the local community to take full advantage of the day.

“Make sure you bring the whole family because there’s something for everyone to enjoy throughout the day.”

Looking ahead to the 25th anniversary of Canterbury Polyfest next year, Batcheler hints at a major announcement scheduled for Saturday.

Pacific language and culture take centre stage at Canterbury Polyfest this weekend. Photo/PMN Digital/Eroti Navuku

“We have a big announcement to make at lunchtime at the Polyfest show on Saturday, so I won’t spoil it, but there is something really exciting,” she says.

“We want to grow and innovate the initiatives and opportunities that we are providing for our Pasifika young people, so please watch this space.”

The event will be live-streamed and available on their website on Saturday morning.