PolyFest spans Tusini generations

Carterine Kareroa-Tusini, Igikulesa Tusini-Rex, Misiliema Tusini, Candy Tusini-Rex and Lee-Teri Tusini. Photo / Jason Dorday

Extended family of Niueans have been involved in all aspects of cultural festival for more than 30 years.

Teaching war dances and chants from the old island ways comes naturally to a family who have been involved in the Auckland Secondary Schools' PolyFest for decades.

The festival - sponsored by ASB - this year celebrates 40 years of cultural dance and performance.

For the extended Tusini family from Otara, it also acknowledges more than 30 years of their family's participation in the event.

Candy Tusini-Rex, 32, was just a baby when her mother started taking her to practices for the Niuean group at the local school, Tangaroa College.

"My mum had been a tutor for them for a couple of years when they put their first Niuean group together in 1984.

"A relative who was a student there at the time came home one day saying they were looking for people to tutor the group. My mum and her parents - my grandparents - decided to give it a go."

Miss Tusini-Rex's grandmother, Misiliema Tusini, is now in her mid-80s and still a big supporter.

Miss Tusini-Rex's grandfather, the late Salekiu Tusini, is remembered for the songs he composed for the students to use at the festival. Those songs turned out to be one of Tangaroa's weapons in the competition - with the group taking out the Niuean stage for many years.

Candy's group will appear at PolyFest alongside other cultural groups including Maori. Photo / Jason Dorday

Miss Tusini-Rex and her siblings, as well as other relatives who went through the school, all participated in Tangaroa's Niuean group.

"There are five of us and we all went to PolyFest. Most of us performed but I was always one of the people playing the guitars or drumming. It's a real family affair."

This year, she is a tutor for the group - following in the footsteps of her grandparents, mother and older brother.

She is helping to teach three traditional Niuean dances: the tame, takalo and vaha tuai.

Among the pupils in this year's group are nieces and nephews.

Miss Tusini-Rex's mother, Igikulesa Tusini-Rex, is now one of the matua of the group.

Speaking about the changing times, she said: "There weren't many kids when we first started. They weren't hard to teach and they listened straight away. It's a bit different nowadays," she laughed.

Mrs Tusini-Rex acknowledged the importance of the PolyFest and how it was helping youngsters to learn about culture. "Not only their own culture, but learning about other cultures, too. It feels good to see the kids learning and speaking words and songs of long ago."

PolyFest kicks off today at the Manukau Sports Bowl, South Auckland.

A record 220 groups from 64 high schools have entered to perform on six stages: Samoan, Tongan, Niuean, Cook Islands, Maori and Diversity - which features Chinese, Korean, Sri Lankan, Indian and Fijian groups.

ASB PolyFest Trust chairman Steve Bovaird said: "The festival's purpose is to demonstrate students' pride in their cultural identity and heritage ... - and to bring schools together and the different cultures." between them."

PolyFest

Where: Manukau Sports Bowl, Te Irirangi Drive, South Auckland.
When: Today-Saturday, 9am-5pm each day.
Who: Samoan, Tongan, Maori, Niuean, Cook Islands and Diversity stages.
Cost: $5 entry, preschoolers free.
Need to know: Only sealed water bottles/drinks allowed. Portaloos available.
Don't forget: Water bottle (free water inside arena), hats and sunscreen.
Parking: $5 parking available but limited. Street parking available, but carpooling recommended.