Last night at the Edgar Centre our Pasifika culture group, EMPIRE, performed outstandingly at the annual Otago Polynesian Festival.

This year’s programme was completely choreographed and arranged by our senior and ex OGHS Pasifika students, in particular, Alex Matagi-Stevenson, Losaline Ikahihifo, Ioana Peni and Kalala Elisara. Together their leadership and nurturing of the group has been fantastic and inspirational for our younger members. Thanks must also go to Mrs Rebecca Laiman, our Textiles expert, for all her hard work preparing the garments designed by Taloi Hotesi. Last of all we must thank the group’s percussionists, Bruce Elisara, Joshua Elisara and Mr Enoka Taufua, Dean of Pasifika Students at Otago Boys' High School.