Massive Pasifika crowds force organisers to think bigger for future

By ALAN PERROTT and ANNE BESTON

The hugely popular Pasifika Festival has probably reached capacity at its Western Springs site and organisers are considering whether to spread the event over a week or even longer.

A Pasifika advisory board is looking at whether theatre, art exhibitions and other events could be held in the lead-up to the festival proper because it has become so popular.

"We have probably reached capacity in terms of a one-day event but moving concerts into the stadium this year certainly helped," said Pasifika publicity manager Diane Whisker-Field.

Pasifika began on Friday night and finished yesterday afternoon, helping spread attendance.

Ms Whisker-Field said police estimated a crowd of more than 170,000 people at Western Springs on Saturday afternoon.

"It just keeps getting bigger. It's been absolutely outstanding."

The entertainment ranged from men husking a mountain of coconuts to Scribe rocking a baying crowd, reinforcing the growing influence of Polynesian culture within its new homeland.

"Oh, it just makes me feel so proud to see our people embracing their cultures," beamed Taima White, a Rarotongan now living in Auckland.

"It's like being at home in the islands without being there. All the people, the food, the music. It's absolutely fantastic. It's really big news back in the Cook Islands."

The crowd slowly moved around the often gridlocked lakeside paths and a huge inflatable can of corned beef at Western Springs.

The crowd compares with the 30,000 who attended the first Pasifika, in 1993.

Hundreds of performers, ranging from contemporary dance to gospel and jazz, spread themselves across six themed stages.

"This is so good for the young ones who weren't born in the islands," said Janet Holmes, who was raised on the tiny island of Atiu. "And it's great advertising for all the island countries. Everyone is here."

Lai-wearing English tourist Wendy Berkinshaw said, "I've never seen anything like this in my life.

"We saw the crowds as we were going past on a bus and, well, it's just amazing isn't it. Unique. I've got lots of photos to show people at home."

But if the traditional ways dominated the festival outside the main stadium, it was Pacific life 21st century style inside.

A rush of punters of all ages and ethnic persuasions to the arena just after 1pm signalled the appearance of man-of-the-moment Scribe.

He whipped up a huge crowd in brash Muhammad Ali fashion and gave further evidence of hip hop's swift rise to the top of the New Zealand musical landscape.

It's not often someone shouting "South Auckland" gets a huge cheer in response.

"Don't ever make yourself small to keep others from feeling inferior. Hold on to your aspirations and dreams," he told the fans.

Away from all the stages and fanfare a curious crowd was gathered around a pair of bemused Samoans husking coconuts.

Mikaele Tito and Api Saloma were slowly putting a dent in a container load of about 5500 large drinking coconuts imported from the Solomon Islands for the festival.

"This is the first time I've done this in 30 years," said Mr Tito, who came here in 1973.

"It's like being back in Samoa, but no one stops to watch you there. You get pretty sick of coconuts after a while, but a job's a job."

Future Pasifika

Organisers are considering:

* A larger venue.

* Spreading event over a week.

* Putting theatre, art and other events in a lead-up programme.

Pasifika Festival 2004
Saturday March 13, 9.00am - 6.00pm
Western Springs Lakeside and Stadium
Great North Rd, Auckland


Herald Feature: Pasifika Festival

Auckland City Pasifika Festival webpage