Multicultural Festival in the Bay

A group from Russia ready for the traditional costume parade.

It was a celebration of the growing diversity in the Bay at the 15th annual Tauranga Multicultural Festival on Saturday.

Originally planned for March 15, the festival was postponed due to tropical storm Lusi. The weather was on the festival's side at the Historic Village this time around with a sunny day bringing in a huge crowd.

It was an all-sensory experience, with music and dance performances running throughout, a parade of nations and cultural costumes through the village and food stalls with dishes from around the world.

Tauranga Regional Multicultural Council president Ewa Fenn said 30 different cultural groups were represented on the day.

"We try [to] make it bigger, better and brighter each year," she said.

It was important for locals in the Bay to appreciate its growing diversity, she said.

"People are sometimes protective of their own culture in New Zealand but obviously the Government allows people from all over the world to come and settle here.

"Our role is to get to know each other, for locals to get to know the newcomers and vice versa so we can understand each other.

"By education, understanding and meeting people you can become more familiar and barriers will be broken down."

People would be more understanding and accepting of others, she said.

The menus and cuisines included food traditional to Maori and British, as well as food from countries including Japan, Thailand, Africa, Trinidad, Korea, Nepal, India, and Philippines.

Julie Pigneri, from Texas, United States, moved to New Zealand in 2008 for a change of lifestyle and was at the festival sharing her home culture.

"I think it's great for New Zealanders to know [there are] a lot of Americans living here," she said.

Liz Moli has lived in New Zealand her whole life but still has a strong connection to her Samoan roots, representing Samoa at the festival. "It's an awesome way to celebrate diversity," said Miss Moli.

Magdalena James moved to New Zealand from Poland seven years ago and said she was very proud to have the opportunity to share her culture with her new home.

Tebikea Iotiabata from Kiribati agreed, saying although she had been a part of the festival for the past five years, she was still very happy to be able to show everyone her culture. The festival also marked the 20th year the Tauranga Regional Multicultural Council has been in the Bay of Plenty.