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The Pacific community is being called on to help save the Pasifika Festival's opening ceremony, after it was canned because of financial issues.
The Pacific Island Board Auckland City is now calling for the Pacific and local business community to rally together to fund the opening ceremony - to keep the entire festival from "dying", board chairman Bruce McCarthy says.
Now in its 17th year, the two-day festival in March at Western Springs attracts more than 200,000 people from around the country and the Pacific.
"Auckland City gets thousands of money on that weekend," said Mr McCarthy.
But this year sees the festival being cut short after Auckland deputy mayor David Hay moved to cancel the entire festival because of a $355,000 shortfall.
"If Friday doesn't happen, then the Saturdays will die - if we don't respond to this, there won't be anything next year," Mr McCarthy said.
"It's acknowledging our Pacific and Maori protocols. This is like getting cut off at the knees - it's an important part that needs to be," he said.
Community leaders, church ministers and political leaders from around the Pacific are welcomed at the Friday ceremony, and a blessing for the festival is given.
Council arts, culture and recreation committee member Dr Cathy Casey said: "We can't put such an important festival at risk like that. It's like putting the Santa parade at strife."
