Explore Pasifika at Western Springs Park

Western Springs Park will be transformed into an enchanting array of Pacific Island villages over two days on 14 –15 March as part of Pasifika Festival 2015.

The Pasifika Festival is in its 23rd year and with over 1,000 performers and 300 stalls, it is the biggest celebration of Pacific Island culture and heritage in the world.

Pasifika Festival forms part of the Auckland’s non-stop summer of events, and is being delivered this year by Orange Productions on behalf of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development’s (ATEED) and Auckland Council.

Event organisers are working closely with village coordinators and members of the participating Pacific Island communities to ensure the most authentic and traditional tastes and colours of the Pacific are showcased.

ATEED Chief Executive, Brett O’Riley, says Pasifika Festival is an exciting and important event for Auckland’s multicultural community.

“Pasifika Festival provides Aucklanders with the chance to experience the islands in their own backyard, and is a unique opportunity for Aucklanders and visitors to come together and celebrate Pacific Island culture in a fun and festive setting,” says Mr O’Riley.

“The Saturday of Pasifika Festival offers a bustling atmosphere across all 11 Pasifika Villages, while the Sunday will see a more relaxed pace beginning with an interdenominational church service open to all.”

Visitors to Pasifika Festival can enjoy fresh flavours of the Pacific including seafood, pawpaw in coconut cream and ‘mape’ - chestnuts cooked in a variety of ways. Crafts available for purchase include hand crafted bags, woven mats, natural oils, preserves, Tahitian pearls and ukeleles.

Pasifika Festival 2015 is jam-packed with highlights, including:

·      The Hawaiian Village back for a second year after debuting in 2014, while a new  Melanesian Village will be showcasing food and craft from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands on Sunday, 15 March.

·      Watermelon sundaes will be back by popular demand in the Tongan Village, a perfect treat after a paua fritter found in the Aotearoa Village.

·      There will be plenty of fun planned to keep children amused and the Mai FM crew will be onsite with their photo booth and giveaways.

·      Demonstrations will showcase the uniqueness of Pacific crafts and the skills mastered to make them.

·      Those who like to get involved will be spoilt for choice with activities, from hat weaving and hula dancing to ukelele and drum lessons.

·      The interdenominational church service which is open to the public will take place in the Tongan Village on Sunday, 14 March from 9.30-10.00am - with amazing singing from choir groups, the service entertains and includes a family focused message. It is not to be missed.


To find out more about Pasifika Festival 2015 visit www.aucklandnz.com/pasifika

Pasifika Festival would like to acknowledge the support of its sponsors including MaiFM, Stuff.co.nz, Tip Top, Air New Zealand, Frucor, More FM, Unitec and more.