03 Apr 2025
Creative New Zealand proudly invests $50,000 in ASB Polyfest 2025 to support its 50th anniversary.
For half a century, ASB Polyfest has been a cornerstone of cultural performance, bringing together thousands of performers from over 200 secondary schools. This year’s festival promises to be the biggest yet, with performances showcasing the traditions, languages, and dances of Pacific and Māori communities.
Kawika Aipa, Manager Enterprise Pacific Arts, highlights the festival’s significance and the importance of sustained support.
“ASB Polyfest continues to be a platform for cultural storytelling and excellence. Our Pacific arts strategy investment reflects our commitment to supporting and sharing Pacific arts with people across the motu, while also creating positive outcomes for Māori and Pacific youth,” says Kawika.
Creative New Zealand’s investment in ASB Polyfest is part of its wider commitment to supporting Pasifika festivals, including the Pasifika Festivals Initiative—a $12 million programme designed to enhance the sustainability of festivals across Aotearoa.
The festival has evolved over the years, embracing digital platforms to reach wider audiences. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world now engage with ASB Polyfest through online streaming and social media, extending its impact globally.
Jannita Pilisi, Arts Council member, acknowledges the vital role this investment plays in the festival’s continued success.
“For 50 years, the festival has been a platform where fuata (young people) take pride in their identities, share their talents, and strengthen their cultural koloa. I have fantastic memories as a festival participant during my high school years. This investment ensures we can continue creating opportunities for fuata to express themselves through language, dance, and performance, while also making the festival more accessible to wider audiences locally and globally,” says Jannita.
Mālō e lelei to the ASB Polyfest team on reaching an incredible milestone. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of the organisers, performers, volunteers, donors, and the communities who have supported the festival over the years.
For updates and more information, visit ASB Polyfest website
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