AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE

6 March 2007

Pacific talent to shine

Operatic tenor sensation Ben Makisi will be taking the stage at Auckland City Council's Pasifika Festival on Friday, 9 March as one of the lead acts performing at the free ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) opening night concert.

A special performance will also be made by one of the most loved female groups in New Zealand over the past 30 years, the wonderfully talented Yandall Sisters - Mary, Adele and Pauline.

The free concert runs from 7.30pm to 9pm at Western Springs and will look back at the past 15 years of the festival, celebrating some of the best of Pacific music and art during that time.

Other acts include Jamoa Jam, Spacifix, Tha Feelstyle, Ardijah, Julie Ta'ale, Brother Love, Loata Mahe and a host of other performers showcasing everything from traditional dance to contemporary song.

The evening's MC will be Tofiga, of the hugely successful Wellington-based comedy duo, Laughing Samoans.

This year, the concert has moved from Western Springs Stadium to the outer sports fields to increase capacity and create a better flow around the festival for the Saturday.

On Saturday people can enjoy all day entertainment on the four stages, visit the nine ACC cultural villages, which feature everything from contemporary arts and music to traditional food, handicraft and cultural performances; browse the 350+ stalls; or just relax by the lake.

Pasifika Festival is the largest free community event of its kind in the world. More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the Auckland City Council-run event at Western Springs this weekend and experience the best tastes, sights and sounds of Pacific Island culture.

Those planning to attend the festival this year are encouraged to bring a drink bottle, sunhat and sunscreen.

Other hot tips for Pasifika are:

* a free park and ride service is available on Saturday from Unitec (Carrington Road), or parking is available at Western Springs College on Motions Road ($5 for the day)

* regular bus services depart from New Lynn, Newmarket (277 Broadway) or Britomart and run to Great North Road and Pasifika Festival. Alternatively, attendees can take a train to Britomart and catch a connecting bus service to Great North Road. Call Maxx on 366 6400 or visit www.maxx.co.nz for more information

* keep left when walking around the event to keep things moving

* keep Western Springs clean by putting rubbish in the bin or taking it to a waste station

* use a backpack instead of a buggy or pushchair for young children

* don't forget to bring cash with you so you can sample some of the delicious food or buy a selection of the great crafts on offer

* programmes and site maps are available at the information tents at the three main entrances to the park.

Pasifika Festival is one of more than 60 free events provided by Auckland City Council as part of the Ak@Play summer events programme. It is proudly sponsored by Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), SPARC (Sport & Recreation New Zealand), Radio 531pi, Team-Up (Ministry of Education), Families Commission, APRA and the NZ Music Industry Commission, New Zealand Post, Air New Zealand, Flava 96one, Western Union Money Transfer and New Zealand Community Trust. The festival is supported by Creative New Zealand, Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Limited, McCallum Industries Palm Corned Beef, Spasifik Magazine and Niu FM Radio Network.

Visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/pasifika for more information about Pasifika Festival.

The festival is part of Celebrate Pasifika, a regional programme of arts and events which aims to showcase the extraordinary achievements of Auckland's Pacific peoples and provide opportunities for Aucklanders and visitors alike to engage with Auckland's Pacific cultures.

ENDS

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