More than 1000 youngsters are set to perform at Central Lakes Polyfest today and tomorrow, showcasing their passion for te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) and Pasifika culture. 

Central Otago kapa haka roopu (groups) performing include Clyde School, Omakau School, Poolburn School, Alexandra Primary School (senior kapa haka), St Gerard’s School, Roxburgh Area School, Tarras School, Cromwell Primary School, Cromwell College, Maniototo Area School and Goldfields School. 

The performances are the culmination of hard work on waiata, haka and dance throughout the year, and range from early childhood through to secondary school age pupils.

Clyde School principal Steph Kitto said Central Lake Polyfest offered pupils the opportunity to celebrate Māori culture through performance and promoted a sense of pride and belonging. 

“Preparation leading up to the event strengthens leadership, with older students mentoring younger ones in the spirit of tuakana-teina. We have 73 students participating [today], ranging from year one through to year eight.”

Clyde School kapa haka acknowledged Olympian Nicole Shields, as she returned to her former primary school at the end of September. PHOTO: The Central App

In preparation for Polyfest some pupils honed their skills at individual school events, while others at district-wide events such as the Alexandra Blossom Festival where the Dunstan Kāhui Ako kapa haka group performed on Saturday afternoon.

The Terrace School pupil Isla Kilgour (12) was involved in the Dunstan Kahui Ako kapa haka and said she loved the singing and dancing.

Isla, and other pupils from The Terrace School, would be travelling to tautoko (support) Central kapa haka groups today, and said she was excited to be spectators at the event.  

Year 8 The Terrace School pupil Ever O’Neill (12) said she loved performing as a group and took part to acknowledge her heritage.

The Dunstan Kāhui Ako kapa haka welcomed Minister of Education Erica Stanford earlier this year, and the students gained performance experience. PHOTO: The Central App

Central Lakes Polyfest at the Queenstown Lakes Event Centre runs from 9am each day. A gold coin koha is required on the door. 

A livestream is available for whanau across the world to view. Find the livestream here

Other Central school kapa haka groups performed in late August at Murihiku Polyfest, a week long festival for cultural performing arts for Ōtākou (Otago) and Murihiku (Southland).

Murihiku Polyfest and Central Lakes Polyfest are organised by Mīharo Murihiku Trust (MMT), a Māori and Pasifika Cultural Arts Trust based in Murihiku.

The focus of MMT organisation is art, culture, education and youth.

With over 6000 performers and tens of thousands of spectators, both online and in person, Murihiku Polyfest is one of the region's biggest spectacles, and it has been running for the past 15 years, the smaller Central Lakes Polyfest has been running for five years.

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