“It makes me really blessed to be a part of the celebration especially here in Christchurch my home city” – Reupena Fofoa, STC Group Tutor.
It was a celebration of Pacific culture at Hagley Park in Christchurch over the weekend, marking 25 years of the SPACPAC Canterbury Polyfest.
The two day event featured Pacific cultural items from 25 schools across the Canterbury region. Families and friends of each school packed out the venue on both days showing their support and love.
SPACPAC Charitable Trust chair Riki Welsh spoke at the opening of the event, and reflected on the early days and honouring those who founded the event 25 years ago.
“25 years ago I was a year 9 student at Te Aratai when I had first heard of Polyfest. And it was the most Pacific people I had ever seen,” he says.
“They were the elders who fought for our Pacific people because, in their time, the system didn’t cater for the Pacific. There weren’t Pacific groups, and no Pacific teachers like there are today; but they had a vision for our community.
On its 25 year long journey, SPACPAC Polyfest in Canterbury has seen some major changes over the years. From being held in schools, church, a barn, the earthquake red zone area to Hagley Park.
Through the ups and downs and major turning points that could have halted their progress, the event has persevered. It’s a testament not only to the organisers but also to the city of Christchurch and the Canterbury region for its work and grit.
“After 25 years, what was once the highlight for our Pacific community, is now the highlight for this entire city. From Timaru, to Christchurch, to Nelson. Pacific culture is on display for everyone,” Welsh says.
“Whether you speak your pacific language or not, Polyfest is for everyone. It’s all about inclusion.”
Joining this year’s event was the St Thomas College Polyfest group, which was led by their tutors Reupena Fofoa and James Filoialii.
Both Fofoa and Filoialii had once graced the Polyfest stage and were coming back to pass their experience and knowledge on to another generation of Pacific students.
“I feel a lot of pride, not only seeing the increase in interest but the quality of the performances that the schools are putting together yearly,” Filoialii says.
“Polyfest will always be a celebration of culture and Christchurch definitely brings its own flair in terms of uniqueness. Although Auckland Polyfest is highly respected down here, I’m proud that schools here in the 03 take the stage and display the love for culture in their own unique way.”
Fofoa added, “It makes me proud and blessed to give back to not only Christchurch Polyfest but also my own school. I’m a proud Sagato Tomasi man so, to take my boys this year and also be a part of the 25 years, it’s an honour and a privilege to be a part of the legacy.
“To see a lot of kids joining Polyfest makes me really happy, just the growth in numbers of schools has really jumped over the years, to see them embrace their culture and having fun performing with their mates, means more than anything and that’s all that matters for us tutors.”
As another successful Polyfest concludes, there is hope that the future is bright and that there is more to come for the next 25 years.
“There’s not much to add on besides building from what we have nowadays, maybe more stages for our other cultures because I know there’s a big community for each culture to celebrate their kids so seeing that would be a cool thing,” Fofoa says.
“Christchurch Polyfest… it’s come a long way and, to see what it is now, it makes me really blessed to be a part of the celebration especially here in Christchurch, my home city.”
