MANDY SMITH The Pacific Islands came to at Flaxmere College yesterday.
Flaxmere Primary School's Situfu Uelese, pictured, was among 350 pupils from 10 schools performing Pacific dances at yesterday's Spacifically Pacific Primary Schools Cultural Festival.
Watched by at least 200 parents and other whanau, the school's 28-strong contingent performed a compilation dance,
followed by a Samoan siva and manoimanoi at the second annual event.
The manoimanoi was easily the group's favourite to perform because it was "fast, lively, and allowed students to put all their spirit into it", teacher Rhonda Godwin said.
The festival is just one event in the week-long Spacifically Pacific celebrations, according to regional Pacific Education coordinator Rose Fatialofa.
On Monday, a Samoan, Tongan, Cook Island and English Speech competition was held, followed by a careers day and physical activity night on Tuesday.
Seven secondary schools will compete in a Pacific-style Stage Challenge tonight at Pettigrew-Green Arena from 6pm with guest Samoan musicians Vaniah and Jewel Toloa. Entry is $2.
Spacifically Pacific finishes tomorrow with a family night and prizegiving followed by a free performance by The Laughing Samoans.
The event begins at 6pm at Pettigrew-Green Arena.
