The countdown begins

The countdown begins

Kia ora, the countdown has begun. In 10 days time, Western Springs College kapa haka group will open the biggest celebration of Pacific culture in Auckland on 9 March at Western Springs Park.

Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) Event Producer Ole Maiava says it will be an exciting start to the Festival.

“The kapa haka group won the Māori stage at last year’s ASB Polyfest. They will bring a lot of energy to the stage, and set the tone for the rest of the Concert as well as for the next day.

“Western Springs Park will be transformed by Pasifika Festival Day on Saturday 10 March. Ten villages from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tokelau, Niue, Tahiti, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Aotearoa will offer food, dance, music and art.

“Over the next ten days we will profile a different village as we count down to the celebrations. Today it all about Aotearoa,” says Mr. Maiava.

On stage at the Aotearoa village on Saturday 10 March will be performances by:
• Pioneers of Māori hip hop - Upper Hutt Posse
• Soul singer - Nat Rose
• Hip hop / ragga and dance hall queen - MC Silva
• Bands Unknown Peace, Jay Okesene and Freeday
• Reggae sounds - Soulsista Aotearoa
There will also be workshop demonstrations by Jerome Cashill, an expert in traditional Māori music (taonga pūoro).

Weavers will hold traditional and contemporary weaving workshops and demonstrations on making putiputi (flower) and manu (bird) to showcase the 2012 Festival themes of the gardenia and noddy tern. If you are hungry the best Māori kai stalls will satisfy, including an earth-cooked hangi.

Lock it in your calendar, dust off your sunnies and be part of Pasifika Festival 2012.
Notes
• Interviews available with Jerome Cashill Mako and performers.
• Friday 9 March, 7pm - 9pm, the Pasifika Festival Opening Night Concert will feature performances from 10 different cultures and guest artists.
• Saturday 10 March, 10am - 5pm, Pasifika Festival Day will see the park transformed into 10 villages from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tokelau, Niue, Tahiti, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Aotearoa. Each village will offer food, art, dance and music.
• Entry is FREE, and for the first time the park will be fenced with six entrances located on Great North Road (x2), Motions Road, Stadium Rd, and near Western Springs Stadium and Auckland Zoo.
• Visit: http://www.aucklandnz.com/pasifika for more information.

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