20th Pasifika Festival kicks off

Performers at the opening night of Pasifika Festival 2012. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The Pasifika Festival - which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this weekend at Western Springs Park - got underway last night with a concert.

Director Ole Maiava has been with Pasifika from the start.

He said while the 20th anniversary of the free event makes him feel old, he was also humbled it has lasted.

"Watching it grow and looking at where it's going to go to in the future excites me even more.''

Ole Maiava said hundreds more people are expected today for Pasifika Festival Day, which will see the park transformed into 10 Pacific villages.

Festivities get underway at 10am.