Southern boys are here to dance

By RENEE KIRIONA

A group of Europeans from Otago will show that white boys can dance like Niueans when they perform at the world's largest Pacific Island and Maori cultural festival today.

Of the students that make up the Otago Boys High School Niuean cultural group, 11 are Palagi, one is Niuean, two are Maori and two are Samoan.

And while they are all too well aware their every move will be closely analysed by their Auckland peers, who are more accustomed to the culture, the southerners are prepared to give the ASB Bank Cultural Festival their all.

Since moving from South Auckland to teach at the Otago school, the group's tutor, Penny Otto, has given the "farm boys" an insight into a culture totally new to them.

"Last year I set up a Nesian group at the school and asked if anyone wanted to take part," she said.

"The interest was so good that we managed to organise our own Polyfest in Dunedin."

The school, which is the only one not from Auckland to be invited to the annual event, has a roll of about 700, including six Pacific Islanders and 10 Maori.

"The Palagi boys are naturally finding it hard to pick up the language and actions but if it wasn't for them we wouldn't be here."

For performer Cameron Perkins, 15, Polyfest is a long way from his home in Gore, where his parents are farmers.

"I've never been to Polyfest or South Auckland before so it's good to see this place that I've heard so much about with my own eyes."

Being part of a minority group also comes with its unfair share of criticism, says Cameron.

"Some people think we [the white boys] have joined to try and be black but that's not it at all. We just want to do something different, to learn about another culture. My parents support me 100 per cent and that's all that really matters to me."

The same goes for Clarke McNab, 14, whose family runs a farm in Owaka.

"I think the Niuean culture is interesting and those who run us down for being in the group are just jealous because they aren't in it."

The school's deputy rector, John Middlemiss, who has accompanied the group, said that like the Palagi boys he too was out of his comfort zone.

"This is all new to me as well. And although we might not be as good as the groups from Auckland our boys are so enthusiastic that they are ready to give it their best shot."

Meanwhile, preparations for the festival are on track. Event manager Craig Seuseu said hundreds of contractors had erected the five performance stages yesterday.



Herald Feature: Polyfest

Official site: Auckland Secondary Schools Maori & Pacific Islands Festival (Polyfest)

* Thursday March 16 to Saturday March 20
(powhiri starts at 8.30am)
Manukau Sports Bowl