Get an authentic taste of the Pacific at Pasifika

Media release

27 February 2014

Get an authentic taste of the Pacific at Pasifika

Visitors to Pasifika Festival 2014 will get an authentic taste of the Pacific Islands, with nearly 250 food and craft stalls at this year’s event.

Pasifika is the biggest celebration of Pacific Island culture and heritage in the world and takes place on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March at Western Springs Park. 

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) manages the delivery of the festival and works closely with members of the local Pacific Island communities to ensure only the most authentic and traditional tastes and colours of the Pacific are showcased.

Festival goers at this year’s Pasifika will be able to savour delicacies including tunu puaka –  the Tongan speciality of whole roasted pig on a spit – and sample food using traditional cooking methods such as the umu (Samoa), hangi (Aotearoa) and lovo (Fiji).  These take hours to prepare and are usually only eaten during big family get-togethers and celebrations.

Those looking for authentic Pacific Island crafts will be spoilt for choice, with everything from traditionally woven mats and tapa cloths to stone carvings and drums on sale.  Free workshops and demonstrations at the Pasifika villages will show just how unique these creations  are to each island nation and how much work and skill is required to make them.

ATEED Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says Pasifika is more than a wonderful celebration of culture by Auckland’s Pacific Island communities.

“This event is also an opportunity for local church groups, sports clubs, performance arts groups, small businesses and families to raise funds, network and promote the very best of their arts, crafts and cuisine to an audience of thousands,” says Mr. O’Riley.

Local families and community groups who have stalls at Pasifika fundraise for everything from sports equipment to local amenities and villages back in the Pacific Islands that have suffered from natural disasters such as hurricanes and fires.

ATEED acknowledges the support of sponsors of the Pasifika Festival including AUT, 2degrees, Tip Top, Pepsi (Frucor), Pacific Media Network, Mai FM and Fairfax Media, and supporters including GLO-BUG and Mercury Energy, Hawaii Tourism Oceania, US Embassy and More FM.

More information about the festival can be found at aucklandnz.com/pasifika

ENDS

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