Upper Clutha students celebrated Māori and Pasifika culture with waiata, poi and kanikani at last week’s Central Lakes Polyfest 2022.

The non-competitive cultural performing arts event brought together approximately 1,000 school students from across the region who performed at the Queenstown Events Centre last Wednesday and Thursday (October 19-20).

“This was our third year running Central Lakes Polyfest, and the first year in our new venue at the Queenstown Events Centre, which went really well,” Mīharo events manager Anjelina Nikora-Wilson told the Wānaka App.

Mīharo, which organised the event, is a Māori and Pasifika cultural arts trust with a focus on art, culture, education and youth.

“All of the performers did an incredible job and represented their schools so well - we were so impressed with the level of skill and talent on stage,” she said.

Students from Mount Aspiring College Te Kura o Tititea (MAC), Tarras School, Holy Family Catholic School, Te Kura o Take Kārara, Hāwea Flat School and Wānaka Primary School all performed.

Te Mākahi o Tititea (MAC's kapa haka group) kaiako (teacher) Candace Mariri Carroll said the rangatahi had worked really hard to prepare for their performance at Polyfest.

MAC students at Polyfest: Laila Telfer (Y7), Madix Chandler (Y7), Kimiya Byrne (Y13), Alara Reeve (Y7), Sammy Watkins (Y7). PHOTO: Gareth Hodges

"Our students spent time at school and at weekends preparing for the event. I’m so proud of them and the way they represented their kura, whānau and tūpuna with lots of passion and mana,” she said. 

“As a young rōpū, our tauira (students) certainly raised the bar and it is exciting to imagine what their performances next year will bring.”

Te Mākahi o Tititea incorporated poi into the performance for the first time, and received support with guitar and vocals from Gareth Hodges.

Polyfest was first created in 1976 at Hillary College in South Auckland to showcase the students’ heritage and enforce pride into the students about their cultural identity.

Almost 50 years years later Polyfest has spread across New Zealand, with a range of annual events featuring traditional music, dance and reo and in a colourful showcase of the diverse cultures across New Zealand. 

Angelina thanked tutors and teachers from across the Central Lakes for organising the performances and helping make the event a success.

“We've had overwhelmingly positive feedback about how professional the groups looked on stage, and we know how much time and effort goes into that. So a huge thank you goes out to the schools and supporters for making the event so successful. 

“We can't wait for Central Lakes Polyfest 2023.”