Covid-19 caused the cancellation of Polyfest last year, while 2019 s festival was cut short by the Christchurch terror attacks.
Polyfest is the annual Māori and Pasifika cultural highlight for Auckland secondary schools and it started with a flag raising of Pasifika and Mana Whenua colours before a pōwhiri of welcome to guests and performers.
Polyfest director Seiuli Terri Leo-Mau u
Photo: RNZ / Mabel Muller
Polyfest director Seiuli Terri Leo-Mauu said they were really excited to have the festival under way after last year s Covid-19 cancellation. There s still a lot of uncertainties and a lot of anxiety out there but at the same time it s kind of overcome by the resilience of these kids and the resilience of the community that comes around this, said Seiuli.