Kia ora and talofa,

We trust everything is shaping up for you as we prepare for the festive season. It is hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner.

It’s less than 100 days to go before the festival and things are beginning to ramp up here at the office as we review stall applications, start to confirm our performance programme and draft and re-draft what our venue, Western Springs, will look like for Pasifika Festival 2013.

There are lots of new developments planned for Pasifika Festival 2013 as we mark the 21st anniversary and move to a new two-day format. Saturday, as we’ve come to expect will experience the lifestyle and culture of the Pacific through bustling markets and high energy performances presented in a uniquely Pacific way.

Sunday will celebrate Pacific fellowship and the spiritual values of the Pacific people. Families and communities are invited to participate in a multi-denominational Pacific Church service, share food and enjoy stage performances across the park.

As usual we would like to acknowledge all those that have gone before us, our generous supporters and sponsors, the Pacific communities of Auckland and further afield. We could not do this without your help.

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Soifua maloloina, from the Pasifika Festival team.

Food

There are some changes to how stalls will work in 2013 that many applicants will have noticed this year.
• Stalls in villages will need to sell food and craft that is distinctive to that village.
• Stall covers are provided and included as part of the stall fee.
• Commercial operator fees have increased to support smaller authentic village-based operators.
We are currently working with each village co-ordinator on the selection process in line with each village menu.
Village co-ordinators have approved the authentic menu for each village that will shape the food offering provided by stall holders, as well as approving next year’s icons - the turtle and nikau palm.

Music and Dance

Our open auditions earlier this month attracted more than 25 acts across a mix of genres.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the auditions, it is great to catch a glimpse of the emerging talent in Auckland.

We are also getting registrations from past performers keen to come back and we’ve been scouting around shows like Pacifica Beats and the music awards looking for potential performers.

There are multiple stages showcasing artists, music, dance and performance from the Pacific and their respective nations.

The expansion to two days is exciting and gives our artists more scope for performance - so if you are keen then get on the website and register your interest.

Villages

The village co-ordinators are back on board this year, working with ATEED to deliver the festival’s exciting village programmes. While most of the 2012 team remains, Maere Baiteke has stepped into the VC role for the Kiribati Village. Maere is no stranger to the village and the operational requirements of Pasifika Festival in her past role as assistant.

A big thank you to our village co-ordinators who act as the voice of the community testing proposed changes to the event, and imparting the benefits for each village.

We have been so overwhelmed with stall holder interest for next year that we are currently reviewing the site plan and trying to create more stall spaces to accommodate the demand.

Final stall selection will be known later this month. Confirmation and invoices to follow to all the successful stallholders.

Thanks to all stallholders for your patience as we work through applications.
Meet The Cook Islands Village Coordinator Bernard Tairea.
Bernard is one of the longest serving village co-ordinators of the Pasifika Festival and celebrates 10 years in the role in 2013.
Read more

Commercial Partnerships

Pepsi is the choice of Pasifika Festival 2013, and we are grateful for the support of Frucor.
We are also grateful for the support of Mercury Energy and GLO-BUG who will be back on board at next year’s festival.

ENDS

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