Inaugural Pasefika event with high hopes for youth
Excitement is mounting ahead of Nelson Tasman’s first dedicated Pasefika festival.
The event in Nelson next month aimed to strengthen the region’s growing Pasefika community, and bring its cultures, languages and stories to life, director Nikita Takai said.
The festival at Founders Heritage Park on October 17 would be a vibrant and joyful celebration, offering food, music and dance performances with local youth centre stage, she said.
Photo: BRADEN FASTIER / STUFF / BRADEN FASTIER
“We’ve got a full day of entertainment. Primary and secondary schools will be performing, as well as community groups.”
The festival was initiated by the community group, the Pasefika Arts and Culture Collective, after consultation with the local Pasefika community over the last two years, Takai said.
The engagement showed “a lot of drive” for the community to have their own arts platform.
“We noticed that there weren’t as many opportunities for our Pasefika communities to be out there, showcasing our traditions and cultures, so it’s about providing that opportunity to have that visibility.”
The event was also about helping build connections within the growing local Pasefika community, Takai said.
“It’s such an opportunity for intergenerational information-sharing. We’ve got our elders involved, giving their information and passing on lots of traditions down to the babies.”
Takai hoped the festival would help build pride among young Pasefika people, and that they would want to carry the event on.
“We’d love this to be a legacy – providing something sustainable and that lives on intergenerationally.”
Garin College student Etenei Talamaivao is leading the school’s dance performances, including a Samoan slap dance for male performers, which he choreographed.
He said the performances told a story, and being involved made him “feel alive”.
He enjoyed working together with the performers “as a family”.
While Etenei had performed with his church in events including Matariki and Nelson’s Arts Festival, it was exciting to be performing in an event purely dedicated to Pasefika traditions.
He was proud to showcase his culture, he said.
“It’s a big part of who I am.”
Over 15 groups were confirmed to perform so far for the festival – to which everyone was welcome.
Community stall-holders would offer Pasefika cuisine and crafts, and visitors were encouraged to take cash with eftpos options limited.
The Nelson Tasman Pasefika Festival takes place from 9am-4pm at Founders Heritage Park, entry: gold coin koha.
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