Samoan performers at Auckland Polyfest 2024. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Polyfest's organisers say the resilience of Pacific people will keep the festival alive.
Polyfest is the world's largest secondary-school cultural festival. Held annually in South Auckland it has been a celebration of Polynesian culture and promotes cultural awareness for 50 years.
In recent years, the festival has grown so large that it had to be held at the Manukau Sports Bowl, in order to accommodate performers and audiences.
However, future events may have to be scaled back due to the ongoing struggle to find sufficient funding.
According to The Polyfest Trust, more than NZ$3 million is needed to run the event properly.
ASB Polyfest director Seiuli Terri Leo-Mauu Photo: RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance
ASB Polyfest director Seiuli Terri Leo-Mauu said although it had been challenging, Polyfest's future would still proceed even with funding cuts.
"Our people are resilient," Terri Leo-Mauu said. "Nothing is going to stop this event from running. Even if we don't get enough money to run it at the normal venue, the Manukau Sports Bowl, we would probably return it to the schools where it originally happened.
"It's going to happen with or without the funding.
"We are calling out to our expat Aucklanders to support us. We have a donation page, and we are still looking for sponsors. We will continue to hustle so we can provide our community and our students with what they deserve," Seiuli said.
Over 200 students gathered in Auckland recently for the ASB Polyfest student leaders' conference.
The two-day event brought together student leaders, including head girls, head boys, prefects, mentors, and cultural leaders,
One student said: "I know we're all passionate about it, and I'm sure if there's a will, there's a way."
Another student said: "That's why we have all our family and friends, and when we Pacific and Māori come together for something, it always turns out, if not bigger, but better."
One of the teachers who attended said they have needed to do extra fundraising, and family members of the students have dug deep from their pockets.
"That's the support and sacrifices people are willing to make," they siad. "It's that important for the well-being and cultural identity of a student, especially living in Aotearoa, where there are so many diverse cultures."
Funding has been offered, which includes over $70,000 from Auckland Council and more than $60,000 from the Otara local board.
According to Polyfest's chair Steven Hargreaves, only 50 percent of that funding has been secured so far.
He also mentioned that the costs for an event of this scale were substantial, covering parking, traffic management, private toilets, first aid, security, fencing and stage construction, which are non-negotiable.
In 2024, the Ministry of Pacific Peoples provided $55,000 for the event, and promised $60,000 for 2025.
Hargreaves noted that this $5000 increase from last year still fell short of their funding expectations.
"While we appreciate the support we receive, we believe Polyfest is an investment in youth," he said, noting that the festival has recently operated at a loss and has relied on dwindling reserves and sponsorships to fill the gap.
Questions still remain around the future of Polyfest.
Seiuli said there was value in the festival and it had been evident because it had been running for 50 years.
"We've got five generations of people who have come through this festival, the cuts have been hard, we've had to hustle really hard to find the funding, and we've had to go the non traditional way to find the funding.
Seiuli said they had to monetise the live stream in response to the funding cut.
The theme for this year's polyfest is 'Legacy - a treasure handed down'.
This year, Polyfest is running from 2-5 April at the Manukau Sports Bowl.
"We want to ensure that we continue to run this festival and give it the energy it deserves.
"We're not focused on numbers or trying to achieve the best TikTok views; it's about creating a space where kids can feel safe, be proud of their culture, and celebrate who they are on that stage," Seiuli said.
