Canterbury Polyfest is a representation of Pasifika traditional dance, music and custom featuring secondary school students from around the Canterbury & Southern region.
Inaugurated in the year 2000, it is the most recognized Pacific Festival in the South Island.
Canterbury Polyfest is one of a series of events under the Christchurch Secondary Schools Pasifika Festival and provides the opportunity for our secondary school students from across the Canterbury region to celebrate and showcase their Pasifika cultural, language and identity through song and dance to reflect the diverse Pasifika cultures residing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Spacifically Pacific Collective (SpacPac) is a collaboration of multi-agencies, non-governmental groups and Pacific Service Providers who have common gaol and aspirations for Pasifika Students in the Canterbury region.
Over the last 22 years the collective has had some amazing devoted and dedicated individuals who not only represent the commitment of their agencies, but their own passion and devotion for the educational development and success of our young people. The SpacPac collective are tasked with interfacing and co-ordinating the schools, onstage production, and implementation of performance schedules.
Niu Economic & Enterprise Development (NEED) Trust has been the lead NFP group since 2015 when they initiated the move to take the event outdoors. It is the main lead organiser for the festival. The trust oversees event management, logistics, operational, manages all financial aspects of the festival and works closely with the SpacPac Collective to achieve a successful event.
The Trusts goal continue to be:
1) Elevate the Event to World Class level and
2) Create opportunities for wider community involvement.
The One-day Festival is broken down and organised into two parts. The first is comprised of one main stage for Student Performances, which also acts as the Main Feature of the event, facilitated and co-ordinated by the SpacPac Collective. The second part is the organising/managing of Operational Logistics & Exhibitors for the Festival. This responsibility and the sourcing of funds/sponsors sits with NEED Trust.
Canterbury Polyfest would not be a resounding success if not for the School Community, which involves many layers. From the Students who participate to their Principals, Cultural Group Coordinators, Teachers in Charge, Tutors, Parents, Family and friends who work tirelessly behind the scenes.