Recently some of the learners at RHS participated in PolyFest. Liliani Kaetau went along to tell us all about it!

Watch Lili here........

Would you like to know more about the history of PolyFest? Polyfest, now one of the largest Polynesian Festivals in the world, began at Hillary College in Otara, in 1976. The objective of Polyfest was to demonstrate the pride of cultural identity and to bring schools and the  different cultures between them, together.

The first initial festival was held at Hillary College. The first festival for Polyfest was supported by not only students but staff and parents also. Back to this first festival, only four schools took part. Nevertheless, the establishment of the Polyfest was a big success and attracted thousands of people. During the first festival, the competition was won by Mangere College, with the hosting school, Hillary College, coming second and Seddon placing third.

Since the beginning of Polyfest, the festival has continued to grow and grow. Each year the festival moved from school to school, as more and more schools and cultures got involved with the competition. In 1981, when Hillary College was seen to host the festival again, 26 schools were involved and there were two stages which were put up on the top field. By 1991, when Hillary College again arranged the event, 38 schools were involved and more than four stages were needed - as well as this, the festival had introduced the Asian culture to the programme too. With the festival growing as large, it soon came to the point where the chances of having just one single school manage each event became quite out of the question. Because of this, the location of Polyfest was changed. This came in 1996, where the event moved to the Manukau Velodrome, allowing for greater stage areas for the different cultures, as well as managing the logistics or greater public participation.

Polyfest was established to not only inspire dances of different cultures but to become involved in performances and celebrations too. Whether from their own heritage or culture, or from those of different cultures, offering opportunities to have familiar and new experiences. As each year goes on, this serves to build awareness and enjoyment for New Zealand's increasing cultural diversity. Polyfest gives all New Zealanders the opportunity to participate and have fun.