Family Fun Day to celebrate communities

Organisers of a family-friendly fun day in South Auckland are calling on the community to come along to enjoy the free-entry festivities.

The Taku Vaka Ariki Te Au O Tonga Family Fun Day, designed to unite the community, will host live music, food, crafts, workshops, games, and entertainment.

The event will be held on Saturday, 23 November, from 10am to 4pm at 44 Awa Street in Otāhuhu’s Railway Bowling Club.

Organisers Anya Francois, Anarihi, Anne Joy Ulaula Simpson, and Kasandra Haurua-Iobu spoke to Ernestina Bonsu Maro on PMN Cook Islands about the event.

Haurua-Iobu emphasised the family-orientated aspect of the event, saying although there are annual events like Pasifika and Polyfest, there are rarely Pacific events tailored entirely for families.

"We want everyone to bring their children down, all ages," Haurua-Iobu said.

"There's activities for little babies up to our teenagers, family, parents, and grandparents who can join in.

"We want everyone to have some good kaikai (food). We want them to listen to the communities, we got performances from little kids all the way up to some adults coming through."

She also said attendees can expect a carnival-like atmosphere, with various games, including prize-based ones, but "no ferris wheel".

"But you can count on there being games and a big old bouncy castle.”

Watch the full interview via PMN Cook Islands FB below:

Embracing beyond the village
Simpson said the idea for the Family Fun Day came from a desire to bring the Te Au Tonga community back together after inactivity in the past few years.

Initially planned as a market day, she said it expanded to include live performances, food stalls, and family-friendly activities.

"[To] really create a family-friendly environment for not only our Te Au Tonga community but everybody within our Cook Island community.

"Or anybody that's in Ōtāhuhu - so we bring the Tongans along as well!"

Reconnecting and representing roots in the diaspora
Regarding cultural roots, Haurua-Iobu said her motivation for joining the organisation team was centred around her belief that " it's important you embrace where you came from".

"I wanted to go back to my roots... I never knew what Te Au Tonga was - I just knew it was Rarotonga," she said.

"But to find out there's meaning behind this name, I want to represent it.

"I decided to join this to show my children, the next generation, nothing is holding you back from learning your roots."

The team signed with a message to the community to mark their calendars.

“We wish everyone a good 2024 and we hope to see you at the family fun day," Haurua-Iobu said.

For more information click here.