Polyfest50: St Mary’s Girls' College returns after 30-year hiatus

As Auckland schools prepare to celebrate 50 years of Māori and Pacific cultural identity, one girls’ college marks a milestone of its own.

St Mary’s College Catholic School for Girls is returning to ASB Polyfest after a 30-year absence from the festival.

Two groups will proudly represent the school and cultural heritage, with St Mary’s College - Te Kura Hato Mere kapa haka performing on Wednesday and the Sāmoan group on Friday.

Principal Sarah Dwan spoke to PMN News ahead of Monday’s dress rehearsal for families.

She says the students are excited to celebrate their hard work and share their identities.

“The girls are very excited…I think it’s all become quite real. They’ve worked really hard, and they’re going to do a wonderful job at Polyfest of representing their culture, their families, the school, and themselves. We’re really proud of what they’ve done.”

The last time St Mary’s College participated in Polyfest was in the early to mid-1990s.

Dwan says a “whole combination of factors” contributed to their absence.

“For a long time, I don’t think there was the interest in going, potentially. I think times change; Polyfest had disruptions, Covid-19, and all that sort of thing.

Watch St Mary’s College kapa haka group open their 2019 cultural concert below.

However, St Mary’s multi-ethnic student body greatly contributes to the school’s identity, and an annual cultural showcase highlights their rich diversity.

Their return to Polyfest coincides with the school’s 175th jubilee, celebrated next week on 9 April.

“Culture has always been celebrated at the college; we’ve always hosted our own cultural night.” It’s been a really big deal, like this year we’ve got 15 cultural groups in total,” Dwan says.

“We thought this year the theme of Polyfest being ‘Legacy’ and the fact that we’re 175 years old as a school next week really linked together. The groups were keen, the parents were keen, so we thought we’d give it a go.”

St Mary's College Principal Sarah Dwan. Photo/St Mary's

This eagerness is echoed among the college’s alumni, with Dwan saying that past students who performed at Polyfest in the 1980s and 1990s are “excited to see the girls back on stage”.

Dwan says the teachers have special plans to acknowledge everyone's dedication to showcasing school pride at the largest secondary schools Māori and Pacific cultural festival in the world.

175-year legacy

St Mary’s College was established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1850 and is one of the oldest girls' schools in New Zealand.

Dwan says 9 April commemorates the day the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Auckland.

“Essentially, as soon as they landed, they were teaching, and that was the start of St Mary’s College. It was down by the Cathedral at that point, so we’re planning to acknowledge that as a school next Wednesday.”

Their website features acknowledgements from Sr Marcienne Kirk, the former principal and author of 'Legacy: The Story of St. Mary's College Auckland'.

“The life of the college was intricately bound up with developments in society, the Catholic Church, education in all its aspects and the place of women in New Zealand. Catherine McAuley’s vision was for the empowerment of women through education, healthcare, and spiritual growth,” Sr. Marcienne Kirk writes.

“This vision has continued through until the present day, where we strive to develop 21st Century Women of Mercy”.,,

St Mary’s student leaders, from left: Tracy - Deputy Head Prefect/Special Character, Grace - Head Prefect/Student Body, Claryn - Deputy Head Prefect/Student Body, and Francesca - Head Prefect/Special Character. Photo/Facebook

While events are held throughout the year, the key community event will take place over Labour Weekend, from Friday, 24 October to Sunday, 26 October 2025.

Plans include an official welcome, school tours, high tea, exhibition sports games, gatherings of various groups, and displays from the archives.

The Past Pupils Association will host a Jubilee dinner at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. On Sunday, there will be Mass at the Cathedral, followed by an afternoon of cultural performances and music at the college.

St Mary’s College - Te Kura Hato Mere Kapa Haka will perform at 9.30am on the Māori stage on Wednesday, 2 April. The Sāmoan group is scheduled to perform at 1.10pm on Friday, 4 April.

Click here for information on ASB Polyfest, including schedules for speeches and performances.

Check out photos from Tuesday's pōwhiri ceremony below.

Ngā tama toa of ASB Polyfest's 50th opening ceremony. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

ASB Polyfest's 50th pōhiri ceremony held at the Tonga stage on Tuesday morning. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

Polyfest pioneers Mama Tupou Manapori (white ei katu) and Aupito William Sio were in attendance. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

Young Tongan performers pay respect during the ASB Polyfest 50th pōhiri ceremony. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

Crowds gather for ASB Polyfest's 50th opening ceremony. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama