Polyfest
Auckland hosts several annual festivals that celebrate the city’s cultural diversity. Briefly outline the history of one such festival, describe the form it takes, and investigate its social significance.
Auckland hosts many annual festivals that celebrate the cultural diversity in our city; Polyfest is a classic example of this. Every year thousands turn out to attend one of the worlds largest Polynesian and Maori Festival, Polyfest. Which is held in the heart of South Auckland at the Manakau Sports Bowl. Over sixty schools participate and perform in dance, speech and song to express their feelings of passion and love for their culture. Polyfest is a unique festival, as it doesn’t just include the Pacific culture but also a range of diverse cultures. People come to this not only for its cultural performances but also the food that each culture has to offer. Polyfest has a huge significance to people not only within New Zealand but from all around the world.
In 1976 a student from Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate (former known as Hillary college), in Otara with his two friends had created a cultural competition between four local schools. With the festivals early progression with only four schools participating, it was already attracting a large audience. It was at this point the boys could see the potential success of this cultural event, to what is now called Polyfest. The boy’s main idea for the festival was to demonstrate the students pride in cultural identity and heritage that brought schools and different cultures together. The idea of Polyfest wasn’t just supported by students it was also the staff, parents and the different communities. In 1981 the number of schools participating had now grown to twenty-six schools with two performing stages. Due to the festivals large growth the venue changed from a single school to a bigger venue where it could accommodate for larger numbers. In 1996 Manakau Valedrome became the new location where they could
Auckland hosts many annual festivals that celebrate the cultural diversity in our city; Polyfest is a classic example of this. Every year thousands turn out to attend one of the worlds largest Polynesian and Maori Festival, Polyfest. Which is held in the heart of South Auckland at the Manakau Sports Bowl. Over sixty schools participate and perform in dance, speech and song to express their feelings of passion and love for their culture. Polyfest is a unique festival, as it doesn’t just include the Pacific culture but also a range of diverse cultures. People come to this not only for its cultural performances but also the food that each culture has to offer. Polyfest has a huge significance to people not only within New Zealand but from all around the world.
In 1976 a student from Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate (former known as Hillary college), in Otara with his two friends had created a cultural competition between four local schools. With the festivals early progression with only four schools participating, it was already attracting a large audience. It was at this point the boys could see the potential success of this cultural event, to what is now called Polyfest. The boy’s main idea for the festival was to demonstrate the students pride in cultural identity and heritage that brought schools and different cultures together. The idea of Polyfest wasn’t just supported by students it was also the staff, parents and the different communities. In 1981 the number of schools participating had now grown to twenty-six schools with two performing stages. Due to the festivals large growth the venue changed from a single school to a bigger venue where it could accommodate for larger numbers. In 1996 Manakau Valedrome became the new location where they could
References: for Geography Essay Auckland City Council, 2014: ASB Polyfest 2014, http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/newseventsculture/events/events/pages/asbpolyfest2014.aspx, Website accessed 25/03/14 Lin, T.12/03/2014 Polyfest kicks off, http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/9819674/Polyfest-kicks-off, Website accessed 1/04/2014 Tapaleao, V. 2009, Boy’s idea now an extravaganza, New Zealand Herald, 19th March: 4 Tapaleao, V. 2012,Polyfest puts spotlight o varying NCEA rules, New Zealand Herald, 14th March: 4 Wilson, D. 12/03/2014 Record-breaking ASB Polyfest starts today, http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/21932256/record-breaking-asb-polyfest-starts-today/, Website accessed 26/03/2014 http://spasifikmag.com/issue51pacificfestivals/polyfest/, Website accessed 29/03/2014 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1403/S00238/diversity-stage-has-trophy-for-first-time-at-asb-polyfest.htm, Website accessed 25/03/2014 http://www.asbpolyfest.co.nz/home, Website accessed 24/03/2014