Pasifika Festival performers Photo: RNZ Pacific/Coco Lance
Pasifika Festival ran at Auckland's Western Springs over the weekend bringing with it singing, dancing, food and activities.
The annual event showcased Pasifika culture with food, performance and song, and a gathering of people from 11 different island nations.
Many people wore traditional dress, and there were multiple generations in attendance.
The festival started in the 1990s, but faced cancellations in recent years. In 2019, it was cancelled in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks, then again in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It did run in 2023, but with a different tone as it followed shortly after the Auckland Anniversary weekend flooding.
This year, rain dampened Saturday afternoon, and some festivalgoers mentioned the 2024 version was bigger.
Festival Director Jep Savali said the event was evolving since its inception more than 30 years ago, and was growing again post-Covid and the anniversary floods.
"We are on a positive growth curve, and with that we are rebuilding, we're reenergising and reamplifying the community, this festival, and its reach within Tāmaki Makaurau so that it one day will reach its hay day, but in a different sense, in a sense that we're much more evolved, much more inclusive."
The infamous watermelon ice cream at Pasifika Festival Photo: Waimirirangi Lee-Reiri
One attendee hailed all the way from the Netherlands.
Aansan Yeh said despite her east Asian heritage, she was drawn to the Pacific Islands.
"I came to the Pasifika Festival because I'm really intrigued and interested in all Pacific Island cultures.
"I love to see the dance; the artistry and I also feel a string connection to the ocean. I think it's really important because it brings people together and it's important to celebrate beauty, tradition, community all the things that make life important for me."
Tuvalu stage performer at Pasifika Festival Photo: RNZ Pacific/Coco Lance
Gina, leader of the Tuvalu dance group, said these events united the community and the group's cultural attire was made collaboratively by the women in her village.
She was wearing a titi tao, she said "all the ladies of our whenua made them for us."
Jep Savali added it would not be long until Pasifika Festival 2026 was on the brain.
"There is approximately about eight months' worth of planning that goes into this festival.
"There's a small team that goes in behind it but very importantly we connect with the community via the village cultural advisory group who are made up of community leaders within the eleven islands that are represented here at Pasifika."
But Summer festivals are not over in Aotearoa, by a long shot - Womad kicks off in New Plymouth on Friday, and Polyfest begins 2 April.
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