Young People Shine at ASB Polyfest 2018
26 March 2018
The theme of the 2018 ASB Polyfest was taken from the words of the late Māori leader and kaumatua of Manukau Institute of Technology - Kukupa Tirikatane. It uses the analogy of weaving flax to draw the many cultures of Tamaki Makaurau together in celebration of their identity, language and culture.
Tuia te muka tangata
Tuia te muka wairua
Whiria te ahurea tuakirikiri
Whiria te ahurea tuamanomano
Thread the fibres of humanity
Thread the fibres of spiritual well being
Bind together the essence of cultural identity
Weave together the diverseness of cultural awareness
Kukupa Tirikatene
Sacred Heart College Māori Performance
Baradene College of the Sacred Heart Māori Performance
ASB Polyfest features traditional music, dance, costume and speech and is now recognised as an important showcase of New Zealand's diverse cultures and a celebration of youth performance.
Baradene College of the Sacred Heart Filipino Performance
Over 90,000 people, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, enjoyed watching performances on the various cultural stages, meeting large groups of young people and their whānau, and tasting the yummy food available across the four days.
Auckland Girls’ Grammar School Chinese Performance
As an ASB Polyfest funder, MYD had the opportunity to staff a tent alongside some partners. We were joined by Great Potentials Foundation, which run the MATES mentoring programme where tertiary students mentor secondary students, and YouthHub, an online platform transitioning young people from education to work. South Seas Healthcare, an organisation providing health and wellness programmes to South Auckland young people, also shared the space.
MYD staff directing young people to the chill-out tent zone
Bean bags, phone charging and music at the MYD tent provided a space for young people to chill, relax and recharge the batteries during the busy festival!
Tamaki College Tongan Performance
MYD wishes to acknowledge ASB Polyfest’s participants, coaches and helpers for the time, energy and efforts they invested in creating the tremendous performances and amazing costumes.
Cook Islands Performance
Thanks also to the organising committee for the great work involved in creating an event of this scale.
Photo Credit: BC Photography – all performance photos