Pasifika's New Wave

Dancing, poetry readings, dance acts, stand-up comedy and hip-hop feature at Pasifika.

Taking on the role of Entertainment Director for this year's Pasifika festival, Rick Tuiasau's mission statement was simple: Give people what they expect.

Past years have seen the Performing Arts Stage dominated by musicians and singing acts, but this year the stage will feature a wider range of acts, including poetry readings, dance acts, stand-up comedy, hip-hop and more.

"I've really tried to focus on the name of the stage and what people will be expecting from that stage. But at the same time I've also tried to add something new to each stage which hasn't previously been seen at Pasifika."

One such act is Hamilton-based trio the Bungalicious Fabulicious Fafa Three, who combine song, dance and cross-dressing to produce a five-minute comedic skit, which Tuiasau simply describes as "amazing".

Also new to the festival this year is the Pasifika Harmonies Competition, which has eight a cappella duos competing.

A cappella, or unaccompanied, singing has long been associated with church and gospel music.

"The most popular Pacific artists we have coming out in the mainstream, from Nesian Mystik to Adeaze, they all come from that similar religious background, going to church and singing in choirs. That's why we decided to include it this year," said Tuiasau.

Entering its 14th year, the festival has become a veritable talent scout for up-and-coming musicians and singers. Artists such as Nesian Mystik, Ladi6 and Sara-Jane Auva'a all made their debuts at Pasifika.

Expected to attract more than 210,000 people this year, Pasifika has become the world's largest free community festival of its type.

Kicking off the festivities on Friday night (March 10), Pacific Music Award winners Tha Feelstyle will take the stage, along with Adeaze, Nesian Mystik and others.

Saturday (March 11) will see a further 60-plus musical, cultural and performance groups appear on six stages throughout the day.

The festival will also host nine cultural villages, offering up the best in Pacific Island art, craft, fashion and cuisine.

* The festival at Western Springs opens at 7.30pm on Friday and 10am on Saturday, and admission is free. For more info see link to website below.

WHAT DOES PASIFIKA MEAN TO YOU?

Karoline Tamati aka Ladi6 - singer

Pasifika is an original and authentic celebration of all things Pacific - something for all Kiwis to be proud of. Pasifika also showcases Auckland City and its diverse Pacific community. One of the most amazing things that stuck out for me as a first time Pasifika Festival attendee, was the number of beautiful Polynesian boys and girls we have in Aotearoa.

Rev Mua Strickson Pua - Pasifika Poets Collective

The Pasifika Festival gives us the opportunity to go back to our community on a larger scale. Whereas our work has been in schools, communities, cafe nights and various places that you expect poets to be, nothing is better than taking part in the largest Pacific festival in the world.

Sara-Jane Auva'a - singer

Pasifika is where I had my first big gig as an entertainer; it's where I started off. Each year my spots have been getting bigger and this year I've got one of the best spots I've had. It's great to be recognised as a leading Pacific artist now. Pasifika is a great chance to share our culture with other New Zealanders.

Eve Henry - Te Riri O te O Dance Group

A lot of the kids in our group are New Zealand-born kids so, yes, they get their culture from their parents, but they started the group because they felt it was important to continue the culture for Pacific Island kids born in New Zealand. Being a Pacific Islander, a lot of that involves singing and dancing. That's part of all of our cultures across the board and you're raised with that singing and dancing in everything you do. The significance of Pasifika is for us to be able to show everyone else what we've learnt of our culture and to show that the traditions are being passed on.

Molima Pihigia - Niuean cultural village stall holder

To me, it's always a highlight to see different ethnicities coming together to display their identity, their crafts and culture. I have always been involved in Pasifika, selling Niuean handcrafts - traditional hats, baskets and hand fans. I look forward to seeing the different crafts from different Pacific Islands, listening to new artists and meeting new faces. It's a great opportunity to learn how other cultures live.