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MONIQUE FORD/Stuff
This was the sixth year those from Johnsonville’s Tautua Dance group performed at Wellington’s Pasifika Festival.
This year’s Wellington Pasifika Festival was the region’s biggest yet.
The annual event, which took place in Waitangi Park on Saturday, drew more than 17,000 people to Wellington’s waterfront for the festival celebrating a range of Pasifika cultures, foods and traditions.
Co-director of Tautua Dance Jayden Luapo said their group of 20 enjoyed the festival and were grateful for the platform to share Pasifika culture with the community.
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MONIQUE FORD/Stuff
The festival is believed to be the biggest yet – drawing 17,000 to Wellington’s Waitangi Park.
It was the sixth year the Johnsonville-based Samoan dance group had performed at the festival with Luapo saying he thought it was “probably the biggest”.
It had also attracted several visitors from visiting cruise ships.
MONIQUE FORD/Stuff
Sinai Havea, 9, smiles during a performace by the Makatu’unga He’Ofa Tongan Community.
”They kinda got to go to the Pacific without going to the Pacific,” he said.
Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean said this year’s festival was likely one of the biggest, with 17,000 people believed to have attended.
MONIQUE FORD/Stuff
Four-year-old Sosiua Havea (middle), performing as part of the Makatu’unga He’Ofa Community group.
“It was a great day for everyone,” he said. “All of the sectors of the community were there.”
In previous years the festival has drawn up to 15,000 people to the waterfront to watch performances with almost every Pacific Island nation represented.
MONIQUE FORD/Stuff
Rongotai MP Paul Eagle and Wellington mayor Tory Whanau helped judge the festival events.
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