Otago Polyfest to take on new heights

The South Island is set for a huge celebration of culture at the Otago Polyfest.

The Dunedin-based festival is a week-long celebration that includes schools in the region - from early childhood centres to high school.

Otago Polyfest General Manager Pip Laufiso said the festival’s success has been supported by generations of performers, students, and teachers involved.

“We celebrated 30 years last year, so here we go, our 31st anniversary. It’s grown, it used to be three days but it goes across five days.

“We really believe and are committed to building the arts pathways, the event pathways for our young people starting from a young age.”

Watch the full interview with Otago Polyfest General Manager Pip Laufiso here:

This year, 160 performances from 128 educational institutions will take centre stage throughout the week at Dunedin's Edgar Center.

Laufiso said the impact of the festival was huge for the Otago community.

“I’d like to think that we’ve made a great contribution to our positive attitude for everybody being involved. If you know our demographics, we’re not all Māori/Pacific.

“So when we talk about thousands of tamariki being on the stage, they’re not all Māori/Pacific. But it is a place where Māori/Pacific children are really upheld, they take leadership roles, their families become engaged with the various schools.

“It is a place they get to shine. We’ve been encouraging people to develop and strengthen their own language, cultural competency and learning more about our culture as well.

Laufiso says they were supported by generations of friends and family who had been a part of the event.

“It is fair to say it’s pretty intergenerational. That is that people who come to work on the festival every year have been a child on the stage years before, or have been told volunteer to help ‘aunty Pip’ and we’re really grateful for that.

“There are lots of people who just come and help. The volunteer call has gone out, there’s a lot of people coming to volunteer. Teachers, community leaders come and volunteer as well.”

Photo/PMN News/Matt Manukuo

Introduced last year, The Village will offer more stalls for organisations and a welcoming space for whānau and community members to gather, enjoy kai, and immerse themselves in the Polyfest experience.

The Village will feature a large-screen livestream of the performances onstage and provide a space for people to share their own stories, engage in activities, and connect with services and agencies.

Laufiso said the new addition was a success.

“Last year’s new features like The Village were met with overwhelming support. We achieved our aspiration to extend our stalls and hospitality areas, and these elements not only

enriched the festival experience but also deepened our community connections. We are thrilled to continue these traditions.”

Otago Polyfest chair Angelina Kiore emphasised the significance of both continuing successful elements and creating new experiences.

“Incorporating these elements has allowed us to honour our past while looking forward to the future.

“Hearing our reo and seeing thousands of children and youth perform is at the heart of Polyfest, and these new features enhance that experience.”