South Island set for 30 year Otago Polyfest celebration

Hundreds of students will descend on Dunedin next week, for the 30th anniversary of the Otago Polyfest. Since 1993, the festival has given young people from early childhood centers right up to high school the opportunity to showcase their culture.

Festival co-chair and manager Pip Laufiso joined 531pi's Pacific Mornings to share the history of the festival and its significance. 

“The impetus for the first festival held in 1993 was driven by our Pacific families. So there were children who were pupils at school, who were Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands families.

“Thirty years ago they were instrumental in bringing this festival together. So the stories we’ve heard are because of those families.”

Reflecting on the past three decades, Laufiso says she has seen generations of families participate in the festival since its establishment.

“What I really love looking back is that we have the same families still contributing and participating in the festival,” she says.

“For Otago we’ve had really long-standing communities particularly Samoan and Cook Islands communities. One thing special about our community is that we work together.”

Next week’s event will showcase the talented Pacific communities around the Otago region, which has seen huge growth in population.

“Even though our festival is held in Dunedin, we have early childhood centers coming from North Otago, Central Otago and South Otago.

“Oamaru, Balcultha and Cromwell are places where there are growing Pacific communities in those areas. The second most spoken language in the Waitaki region is Tongan!”

Watch the full interview here or go to 531pi's Facebook page​ to like, comment and share.