Pasifika festival draws 90,000

Aucklanders were out in force at the opening day of the Pasifika festival today - soaking up the best sights, sounds and flavours the Pacific has to offer.

The event, which continues today, is expected to attract up to 90,000 people.

Now in its 24th year, the festival returned to Western Springs this weekend after the Queensland fruit fly emergency pushed it to Manukau last year.

It includes 11 villages each done in the style of a Pacific Island country.

This year the spotlight is on the Fijian stalls and performers as they raise money and awareness for the victims of Tropical Cyclone Winston, which devastated the small nation.