Nelson Tasman Pasefika Festival 2026

Talofa ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Kia orāna, Tālofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Fakatalofa atu, Noa’ia ‘e mauri, Ni sa bula Vinaka, Kam na mauri, Tēnā koutou kātoa and warm Pacific greetings,

This year the Pasefika Arts & Culture Collective is bringing the inaugural Nelson Tasman Pasefika Festival to Whakatū.

This is a family friendly day celebrating Pasefika culture with an incredible programme of entertainment, including dance performances, activations and delicious island food.

🎶 Live entertainment throughout the day
💃 Incredible cultural and dance performances
🌺 Activities and activations
🍽️ Delicious island food
🛍️ Community stalls
❤️ A celebration for the whole whānau
📅 Saturday 17 October 2026
⏰ 9am–4pm
📍 Founders Heritage Park, 87 Atawhai Drive, Nelson
🪙 Gold coin koha entry
💵 Bring some cash! EFTPOS options will be limited, so bringing cash will make it easier to support the wonderful community stallholders on the day.
🚗 Parking at Founders will be limited. Please consider parking along North Road or in surrounding areas, or even better — walk, bike or bus to the festival where possible.

Save the date, gather your friends and whānau, and come celebrate the sights, sounds, flavours and cultures of the Pacific right here in Whakatū. 🌺🌊
We can’t wait to welcome you!

Fakafetai lahi lele, Kia monuina, Kia manuia, soifua ma ia manuia, Faka’apa’apa atu, Fakafetai lasi, Fḁiåkse’ea, Vinaka vakalevu, Ko bati n rab’a, tankyu tumas, ngā mihi nui.

Talofa ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Kia orāna, Tālofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Ni sa bula Vinaka and warm Pacific greetings! 🌊🌺
Founders Heritage Park is excited to welcome the inaugural Nelson Tasman Pasefika Festival to Whakatū this October!
Presented by the Pasefika Arts & Culture Collective, this will be a vibrant day celebrating Pasefika culture, community and connection — honouring our past, celebrating our present and inspiring our future.

Click here to find out more…