2025 marks the fiftieth year of Polyfest, the iconic annual secondary school performing arts festival. Held in Auckland, the event celebrates Polynesian culture through performances, traditional meals, and drinks, providing students with a profound opportunity to explore their heritage.
Principal of Macleans College and Polyfest Trust Chair Steven Hargreaves says it’s a huge milestone for the festival. “Only in their most hopeful dreams could the founders of Polyfest have imagined that 50 years on, there would be over 10,000 performers and 100,000 visitors coming through the festival gates to celebrate language, dance, food, and culture over five days.”
Performing in Polyfest is an incredibly educational experience. ASB Polyfest is a school’s festival, and school principals govern the Polyfest Trust. Key staff manage resourcing and scheduling to kick off the school year. As the festival is held in March, performance groups prepare through term one. This might involve intense late-night and weekend practices.
“Preparation for ASB Polyfest requires dedication and planning, commitment to high standards and the resilience to ride through the highs and lows that come with large group performances,” Steven says. “Student leaders are grown and developed as they encourage and motivate their peers.”
From making costumes and props to assisting with choreography, participating in the festival requires coordination and inspires the community. “Families play a huge role in supporting their sons and daughters prepare for the festival, and this helps connect schools with the communities they serve. Polyfest is a motivator to attend school and also a potential source of NCEA credits.”
The History of Polyfest
The first Polyfest took place at Mangere College in 1976, which hosted Aorere College, Hillary College and Seddon College. Schools hosted the festival for 20 years before its growth led to its relocation to the Manukau Sports Bowl in 1996. Now it is the largest Polynesian festival in the world; an international, digital experience that garners millions of social media views each year.
Resilience underpins the festival’s history. Steven recalls how in 2014, Cyclone Lusi ruined the weekend; in 2019, the Christchurch terror attacks forced the festival to be cut short; and in 2020, coronavirus disrupted the event. This year, the Māori Stage was closed for a day due to the weather.
“ASB Polyfest has overcome all these challenges and is bigger and stronger than ever. The community draws inspiration from the event, and the festival organisers draw inspiration from the community it serves. The legacy is being passed down to a new generation.”
A testament to its growth, over 28 nationalities were represented on the Diversity Stage at Polyfest 2025. The sheer size of the event stood out to Hargreaves this year, especially post-pandemic. To celebrate the milestone, a gala dinner was held and a commemorative book was published. And the future is looking positive. “There is a lot of interest from sponsors and government agencies who share the kaupapa of the festival which puts it in good stead.”
