Polyfest50: Students make historic debuts for culture and legacy

Fijian students at Auckland’s 50th ASB Polyfest are bringing firsts on the Diversity Stage, with calls for their own.

Massey High School is making their debut, while Westlake Boys is showcasing their meke, a traditional Fijian dance.

The annual festival, taking place at the Manukau Sports Bowl until Saturday, has over 11,000 students from 77 schools participating across six cultural stages.

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Among these is the Diversity Stage, featuring a record 118 performing groups that represent 28 different cultures. James Cook High’s first Filipino group and Massey High’s first Fijian group had their inaugural performances yesterday.

Speaking to PMN Fiji, Julie Mataraki, choreographer for Massey, leads a group of 22 members who have curated a traditional Fijian dance, or meke, for their first performance. Their second performance features an all-girl group that illustrates how Christianity has become “the biggest part” of Fijian lives.

“When the teachers came up to me asking if I could make a Fijian group because we haven't had any Fijian groups in Massey, I was quite scared,” Mataraki says.

“I had no faith at all that we would have a Fijian group, but I'm so happy that we're able to perform here.”

Mataraki emphasised the deep connection the performers had with their ancestors, saying they are grateful for the opportunity to share their Fijian culture and unite as a community.

Building a legacy

In a similar spirit, Westlake Boys’ Fiji group performed their meke publicly for the first time yesterday. Laisa Rasovo, the choreographer, says their performance drew inspiration from Fiji's Independence Day in 1970.

She says this year’s Polyfest theme, “Legacy - a treasure handed down”, adding that, “[Fiji’s inaugural Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara] gave a speech about his vision for Fiji, and the boys wanted to base their performance on that.”

She highlighted the importance of diversity, and that the late former Fijian leader emphasised Fiji’s rich tapestry of cultures, religions, and languages, all of which were represented in their performance.

The Westlake Boys performed three pieces: a hymn centred on Fijian religion, a segment featuring modern music, ending with the meke that represents their school.

Rasovo says they wanted to create their own legacy at Westlake, referencing the school’s history and key headmasters like Mr Ferguson.

“[The boys] also sang about the Pasifika, the different nationalities in our Pasifika, all coming together and working together.”

Call for a Fiji Stage

Albert Traill, a Diversity Stage judge, applauds the increasing participation of Fijian groups, with the number of groups up 17 from 12 last year.

“It's been amazing to see the technical skills of the kids grow every year. We see them upping their game with the props they're using, the interpretation of the theme each year, and connecting that to each of their individual cultures,” Traill says.

He says that beyond the technical elements such as entry, exit, and props, the judges look for passionate performances.

“We can tell the kids who are really passionate about what they're doing. We feel that same energy on the judges' stand.”

Traill expressed pride in the growth of Fijian groups over the years, urging them to continue embracing their cultural heritage “because it falls on our generation now to preserve this for their children, for the next generation.

“We're pushing for a Fijian stage. We can do it. This is the second year that we've had the conversation with the Polyfest director and the supporters over here.

“We can do it, but our community has to come out more. We have to support more children and push them forward to be prepared for a Fijian stage.”

Watch Albert Traill’s full interview below.