Auckland City Council
Media release

27 February 2008

Spotlight on Pasifika Festival 2008

Three original members of the band Herbs will take to the stage as Herbs Unplugged for Pasifika Festival’s free Accident Compensation Corporation Opening Night Concert on Friday, 7 March.

Herbs produced a stream of Pacific reggae hits during the 1980s and 1990s, performing alongside the likes of Dave Dobbyn, Tim Finn, Annie Crummer, UB40, Tina Turner, Neil Young and Stevie Wonder.

Other acts including Big Belly Woman, Sunga and Vela will appear at the Auckland City Council-organised concert at Western Springs Park from 7pm to 9pm. Performances from groups representing 10 Pacific island nations will also explore this year’s eel theme, which reflects the festival’s location (Western Springs – lake of eels).

The evening’s MC will be Teuila Blakely (Sione’s Wedding).

The concert is a great prelude for festival day on Saturday, 8 March which will see in excess of 200,000 people enjoying all-day entertainment on two stages, plus traditional Pacific foods, crafts, art, cultural performances, music and interactive activities in 10 cultural villages at what is one of the world’s largest free community events.

Auckland City Council's 16th annual Pasifika Festival is the place to experience the best tastes, sights and sounds of our city’s diverse Pacific cultures.

Visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/pasifika for more information about Pasifika Festival 2008.

Pasifika Festival 2008 is proudly sponsored and supported by Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), Pacific Media Network (Radio 531pi and Niu FM), Sport & Recreation New Zealand (SPARC), New Zealand Post, Ministry of Education's Team-Up, Air New Zealand, Flava 96one, New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT), Creative New Zealand, Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Limited, McCallum Industries' Palm Corned Beef and Māori Television.

ENDS

Tips for people attending Pasifika Festival 2008:

- bring a drink bottle, sunhat and sunscreen

- always keep left when walking around the festival to keep things moving

- use public transport to get to and from Western Springs Park – regular bus services depart from New Lynn, Newmarket (277 Broadway) or Britomart and run to Great North Road and Pasifika Festival. Alternatively, take a train to Britomart and catch a connecting bus service to Great North Road. Phone Maxx on 366 6400 or visit www.maxx.co.nz for more information

- If driving, car pool and make use of the free park and ride service available on Saturday, 8 March from Unitec (Carrington Road) or $5 all-day parking at Western Springs College (Motions Road)

- Help us keep the park clean by putting your rubbish in the bins provided or taking it to a waste station – rubbish bags will also be available

- Eftpos will be available, but it is advisable to bring cash with you

- Programmes and site maps will be available at the information tents at the three main entrances to the park.

Celebrate Pasifika
Pasifika Festival is the highlight of Celebrate Pasifika – a month-long regional programme of arts and events that reflects the unique talents of Pacific cultures in Auckland from Saturday, 1 to Saturday, 29 March. Visit www.celebratepasifika.com for more details of Celebrate Pasifika events.

ENDS

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