Sounds and taste of the Pacific will be on offer this weekend at the Wellington Pasifika Festival at Waitangi Park from midday Saturday.
The annual festival is a highlight on the summer events calendar, attracting over 15,000 people each year, and with so many activities, food stalls, traditional crafts and performers lined-up, visitors will be transported to the Pacific for the day.
The wide-ranging programme includes performers from all over the Pacific like opera legend Ben Makisi, the soulful sounds of Mo Etc., the Mafutaga Tagata Matutua Senior Exercise Group, Tautua Dance, and Tīwhanawhana, a takatāpui community group that welcomes people of diverse sexualities and gender identity.
Mayor Tory Whanau says this event is the perfect way to spend the day celebrating our diversity and combined cultures, and what better way to do that than with kai, kōrero and waiata.
Ben Makisi says there is a difference between performing at home and abroad.
“It’s a lot more sentimental coming home to perform. When I am abroad I feel a pride and joy to share my talent and cultural heritage to the world. I love it when my audiences abroad always compliment me and share their love and experiences from Aotearoa New Zealand.
Full and up to date programme: wellington.govt.nz/pasifika
12 noon – Opening/Blessing
12.15pm – Tīwhanawhana
12.25pm – Akatokomanava Organisation of Wellington Inc.
12.35pm – Kiribati St Joseph Community
12.45pm – Mafutaga Tagata Matutua Senior Exercise Group
1.15pm – Wellington Solomon Islands Community
1.25pm – Atuhau Tupuhake Niue Culture Group
1.35pm – Tausala Pasefika
1.45pm – Makatu’unga He ‘Ofa Community
1.55pm – Tokelau Hutt Valley Sports & Culture Association
2.05pm – Pacific Cuisine Cook-Off
2.40pm – Tautua Dance
3.05pm – Mo Etc.
3.35pm – Wayno
4.05pm – A.R.T
4.35pm – Ex Nihilo Gospel Band
5.05pm – KaSeki
5.35pm – Ben Makisi
6pm – Closing blessing
