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Source: Radio New Zealand

This week, the Manukau Sports Bowl has been transformed into a multi-stage cultural hub for 11,000 performers from 73 high schools.

Participants tell RNZ the Polyfest festival is a celebration of cultural diversity as well as an opportunity to learn.

Faith Fomai from Southern Cross Campus says Polyfest is about “learning your roots, staying cool, also just be connected and be one”.

Southern Cross Campus students at ASB Polyfest.

RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance

Indian students Pierah Kohli, Aashritha Vathsavaya and Sonam Chaduvula of Maclean College

Pierah Kohli, Aashritha Vathsavaya and Sonam Chaduvula of Maclean college.

Tiana Haxton / RNZ

Lauryn Wattam and Hingano Hill-Willis of Wesley College, representing the Cook Islands

Cook Island performers Lauryn Wattam and Hingano Hill-Willis of Wesley College.

Tiana Haxton / RNZ

A Samoan dance performance by Alfriston College

Samoan performers Tofiga Maletino and Omeka Fau from Alfriston College.

RNZ

A Samoan dance performance by Alfriston College.

Nick Monro / RNZ

A performance by Samoan students from Alfriston College.

RNZ

Samoan performers from Alfriston College.

RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton

Metua-Ani Raea-Araitia and Hillary Tiro, visiting from the Cook Islands, attended with a group from Tereora College

Metua-Ani Raea-Araitia and Hillary Tiro, visiting from the Cook Islands, attended with a group from Tereora College.

Tiana Haxton / RNZ

A group from Manurewa High School, including Ayveah Mizziebo, who says Polyfest is “a way to learn about my culture outside of my home, my church, my family, and to embrace other people’s cultures as well”.

“Polyfest is a way to learn about my culture outside of my home, my church, my family, and to embrace other people’s cultures as well” – Ayveah Mizziebo.

Tiana Haxton / RNZ

Bailey li, a Korean student from St Cuthbert’s College, says Polyfest is an opportunity to learn about “other cultures and their beauty”.

“To me, Polyfest means cultural diversity, and it allows everyone to perform their culture, represent other cultures, as well as be aware of other cultures and their beauty” – Bailey li.

Tiana Haxton / RNZ

Breona Nassau and Joseph Tulua from Tangaroa College say Polyfest is an opportunity to see many cultures in one festival

Breona Nassau and Joseph Tulua from Tangaroa College at ASB Polyfest.

RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance

A group from Otahuhu College

Otahuhu College students at ASB Polyfest – day one

RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance

A group of Chinese students from St Cuthbert’s College say Polyfest is a celebration of cultural pride and diversity

A group of Chinese students from St Cuthberts College say Polyfest is a celebration of cultural pride and diversity.

Tiana Haxton / RNZ

A Chinese student from St Cuthbert’s College demonstrates a traditional dance with fans.

Tiana Haxton / RNZ

Fijian students from Baradene College of The Sacred Heart

A group of students from Auckland’s Baradene College of The Sacred Heart.

Tiana Haxton / RNZ

Students from Baradene College

RNZ Pacific / Coco Lance

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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