Pohiri 'like no other' opens Super 8 Cultural Festival

The annual Super 8 Cultural Festival has opened at Rotorua Boys' High School with a pohiri "like no other".

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Super 8 partnership between eight North Island boys' high schools - Rotorua, Gisborne, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Tauranga.

Rotorua Boys' High School introduced a Pasifika section to this year's event and today's opening pohiri was "like no other", one parent said.

The pohiri featured students from a variety of cultures across the Pacific, including haka and traditional Pacific Island drums.

Rotorua Boys High School student Rikawerohia-Wana Unuwai up front for the Pohiri opening the Super 8 schools competition. Photo/Stephen Parker

Deputy principal Fred Whata said the school was always excited to be part of a Super 8 festival but this was a chance to shine culturally.

"There are a multitude of events specifically designed for the boys," he said.

"This year we added Pasifika to make it a truly inclusive festival, for all the cultures in New Zealand."

More than 500 boys will compete today and tomorrow in events ranging from theatre sports and debating to musical performances and kapa haka.

"Rotorua Boys' High School is honoured and privileged to have hosted it seven times," Mr Whata said.

"Rotorua's a great place to learn, to live and to be part of something spectacular."

Debating, drama, oratory and music solo finals will be on till 12pm tomorrow followed by the prizegiving.