South Canterbury gears up for annual Multicultural Aoraki Festival

South Canterbury communities are preparing for their annual celebration of diversity at the Multicultural Aoraki Festival in Timaru early next month.

The outdoor event will feature about 10 performances from community groups representing a variety of backgrounds, including Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Jamaican, Filipino, Tongan, and Fijian cultural dances.

Festival coordinator Maturo ‘Matty’ Siaosi says the event showcases the rich tapestry of cultures and ethnicities residing in South Canterbury.

“The Multicultural Aoraki Festival is all about bringing people together, no matter where you're from, what nationality you are,” Siaosi says on 531pi’s Pacific Days.

“It's all different cultures coming together to celebrate and to have a bit of fun, watch better performances from different cultures, and to connect and to meet.”

The festival is presented by Multicultural Aoraki, a non-profit organisation formerly known as Aoraki Migrant Centre. Founded in 2004, it aims to connect people from diverse cultural backgrounds, especially those with limited English proficiency.

The team’s members have vast experience in social services, healthcare, and the justice system, providing support, advice, and advocacy to those relocating from overseas.

Many are multilingual, speaking various languages, including Afrikaans, Arabic, English, Māori, Sāmoan, and Tongan.

Siaosi himself hails from Sāmoa, where he played for the Under-18 rugby team before earning a rugby scholarship to Roncalli College. He moved to Timaru over 25 years ago.

“When I came here, there were not many island people living in Timaru.

“It was a really cold place to live, but I got used to it now, and I call it home. Most of my family are here now in Timaru. I brought everyone here.”

The Sāmoan and Tongan communities make up a large part of Timaru's Pacific population, with growing numbers from Fijian, Tuvaluan, Kiribati, and Cook Islands backgrounds.

Siaosi says interest in the festival remains high, with many people eager to participate and celebrate the local multi-ethnic communities.

To take advantage of the expected warm weather, a live band will perform throughout the day, alongside multicultural food stalls and family-friendly activities.

Sponsored by the Timaru District Council, Aoraki Foundation, Venture Timaru, and ARA Institute of Canterbury, the event expects visitors from Dunedin to Christchurch.

While entry is free, Siaosi says volunteers will walk around with donation buckets for those who wish to contribute koha to support “this great thing for the community”.

“I just encourage you to come along; the sunscreen will be there,” Siaosi says. We are multicultural, so no matter where you're from…it’s going to be a great day.”

The Multicultural Aoraki Festival will take place at ARA Field, Grey Road, starting at 11am on 1 March.