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WHAU PASIFIKA FESTIVAL:
KOTAHITANGA
WHAU PASIFIKA FESTIVAL: KOTAHITANGA
PROGRAMME
THE WHAU SCHOOLS DEBATE
THURSDAY 26 JUNE, 5.30PM - 8.00PM
Kelston Boys High School Auditorium, 78 Archibald Road, Kelston




Welcome back to the third Whau Schools Debate where westside students debate crunchy issues for Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa.
Who will take the trophy from KBHS 2024 winners?!
Ngā mihi nui guest judges Dr. Claire Achmad (Chief Children's Commissioner), Veronica Semau (Auckland Uni Law Student) and Riana Te Ngahue (Lawyer and Advocate). Fa'afetai tele lava for mentoring inspiration from The Malosi Project.
Good luck to:
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Avondale College
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Kelston Boys High School
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Kelston Girls College
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Waitakere College
Debate, Discussion and snacks provided.
Go to facebook event link
NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED I ALL WELCOME I ENJOY!
MOFRESH ART WORKSHOP WITH p.WALTERS
SATURDAY 28 JUNE, 3PM - 5PM
Moana Fresh, 64 Rosebank Road, Avondale

Moana Fresh invites you instore!
Unleash your imagination in this hands-on workshop for all ages! Dive into drawing, painting, and collaging freaky creatures and create new pictures through intuitive mark-making with local artist p.Walters.
Let’s expand our understanding of what a body can be and mean, and what can make a “good” image/picture.
Limited capacity - 20 pax
ARTIST BIO
p.Walters is a taniwha, local to the Kingdom of South Auckland and beyond, with wings and bones stretching across from Aotearoa and to various islands of Tonga.Their work reflects their colonial imagination dissidence and legacy of “new zealand”, and a devotion to venerating their queer & othered body.
TAGATA O LE MOANA UNDERSTANDING TE TIRITI
SUNDAY 29 JUNE, 3.00PM - 5.30PM
ONLINE - ZOOM

Whau Pasifika Festival: Kotahitanga is proud to host The Pacific General (PGA) Assembly and Tuiloma Lina Samu in sharing knowledge and skills to champion Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
This online workshop explores the historical context, core principles, and modern-day significance of Te Tiriti and ancestral connections between Māori and Pacific Peoples.
Take this opportunity to advance your understanding, strengthen bonds between Tagata Moana, Tauiwi and Tangata Whenua, and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Aotearoa.
All are welcome!
Host Bio
Developed by Tuiloma Lina Samu—former Pacific Human Rights Advisor at Te Kāhui Tika Tangata | The New Zealand Human Rights Commission and now Director, Pacific Identities & Advisory team, Policy & Insights at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples — this programme is delivered through PGA initiatives.
POLY WORKSHOPS: AVONDALE
MONDAY 30 JUNE, 9AM - 3PM
AVONDALE COMMUNITY CENTRE, 99 ROSEBANK ROAD, AVONDALE










Join a different PolyWorkshop on the hour every hour.
There's something for all ages whānau, come and give it a go!
MOVE YOUR BODY
Circus Skills : Te Kura Maninirau
Poi Workshop : Te Kura o Pātiki
Siva Afi & Drum line : AktiveZone
MAKE & CREATE
Create with Pasifika stencils : AktiveZone
Hair Braiding : Ava
Learn to face paint : Ngametua
Make Bees Wax Wraps : Mikiko
Make Siva Afi Sticks : Sosene
Make Your Poi : Lucia
Pacific hair wrap : Zanzibar design
Use your Lemons : Pacific Vision Aotearoa
Weave earrings : Marlene
Wood Carving : Nela
WORDS & SOUNDS & SIGHTS
Draw with the Master Blaster : Michel Mulipola
Wordsmithing : Action Education
Ukulele : AktiveZone
NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED I ALL WELCOME I ENJOY!
POLY WORKSHOPS: NEW LYNN
TUESDAY 1 JULY, 9AM - 3PM
NEW LYNN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 45 TOTARA AVE NEW LYNN
Let's do it all again at New Lynn!!










Join a different PolyWorkshop on the hour every hour. There's something for all ages whānau, come and give it a go.
MOVE YOUR BODY
Circus Skills : Te Kura Maninirau
Poi Workshop : Te Kura o Pātiki
Siva Afi & Drum line : AktiveZone
Tuvalu Dance : Maneanea Dance
MAKE & CREATE
Create with Pasifika stencils : AktiveZone
Hair Braiding : Ava
Learn to face paint : Ngametua
Make Bees Wax Wraps : Mikiko
Make Siva Afi Sticks : Sosene
Make Your Poi : Lucia
Pacific hair wrap : Zanzibar design
Weave earrings : Marlene
Wood Carving : Nela
WORDS & SOUNDS
Wordsmithing : Action Education
Ukulele : AktiveZone
NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED I ALL WELCOME I ENJOY!
TE KAWERAU Ā MAKI PRESENTS
WEDNESDAY 2 JULY, 5.30PM - 9PM
THE HOLLYWOOD AVONDALE, 20 ST GEORGE'S ROAD


Whau Pasifika Trust welcomes you for a very special evening.
Te Kawerau ā Maki present their ancestral journey to Aotearoa and our community are invited to hear their story and deepen relationships with West Auckland mana whenua. Questions welcome.
5.30pm - 6.30pm : Te Kawerau ā Maki presentation
Break
7.00pm - 8.30pm : Special film screening "The Haka Party"
The Haka Party (90 mins)
2024, Aotearoa NZ
Dir. Katie Wolfe
Click image to watch The Haka Party Trailer
Whau Pasifika Trust acknowledge Māori as indigenous peoples of Aotearoa. We invite our communities to join us in enhancing our knowledge and relationship with tangata whenua. All are invited to learn about the 'whakapapā' of Te Kawerau ā Maki, perhaps your introduction to our local mana whenua, as well as a look back at the history of West Auckland. The iwi are now building their marae in Te Henga, Bethells Beach.
This event is proudly sponsored by The Hollywood Avondale
NESIAN THREADS FASHION SHOW
THURSDAY 3 JULY, 5PM - 8PM
MODE FABRICS, 12 TIMOTHY PLACE, AVONDALE
Nesian Threads, curated by the dynamic mother-daughter team behind Cokana Fashion (Ota Valu and Helena Cocker-Valu), is a powerful runway showcase of local Pasifika designers, community-grown talent, and stunning repurposed fashion. Expect a celebration of Moana Nui-a-Kiwa textiles, cultural heritage, and creativity that stitches generations together. MC John Pulu celebrates:
DESIGNERS
Lesieli Tonga - Forget me not I Mele Fifita - Ma'alangi Fashion: Woven Paradise I Karthika Shivangani - Broke society I Lander Johnson - FAAFIAFIALOTO LAEI I COKANA SEWING ACADEMY I Peter Wing I Frazer Strickland I Geoffrey Matautia I Nara Su I Hope Papali'i I COKANA FASHION
ISLAND TEXTILES
FIJI - Sulu Sisters I SAMOA - Falelalaga Cultural Centre I NIUE - Whau Pasifika Trust I RAROTONGA I TUVALU I TONGA
ARTISTS
Island Vibes I DJ Tuafale I Ana Mckay I John Pulu
This FREE event is proudly supported by Mode Fabrics and the Rosebank Business Association.
Mode Fabrics, open the doors of their warehouse to celebrate innovation, sustainability, and Pasifika excellence. Born in Fiji and now a global business, Mode Fabrics brings a 40-year legacy of textile leadership, rooted in commitment to customers, suppliers, and our Pacific communities.
All are invited to mix and mingle with RBA members, enjoy vibrant entertainment, and witness the bold, beautiful threads of our local design community.
NESIAN THREADS FASHION SHOW is brought to you by Whau Pasifika Trust, Mode Fabrics, Cokana Fashion, Vain Creative, The Production Co., the Rosebank Business Assn and the fabulous Kasi Valu
12HR PolyFilms Marathon
FRIDAY 4 JULY, 9AM - 9PM
THE HOLLYWOOD AVONDALE, 20 ST GEORGE'S ROAD

Pacific Island Screen Artists have curated this year's
12HR PolyFilms Marathon
5 SHORT FILMS
5 FEATURE FILMS
9am to 9pm
The films are by, for, and showcase Pasifika in front and behind the screen. All sessions are free and in the most beautiful cinema in West Auckland, The Hollywood!
Join us at 5.30pm for a special Climate panel before the finale documentary "The Forgotten Pacific".
Guest speakers: Zane Wedding (Mana Rakau), Juressa Lee (Greenpeace) and Pasifika Climate activist and advocates.
NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED I ALL WELCOME I ENJOY!
Vinaka Vakalevu to the following writers, directors and creatives for gifting us their time, films and permissions:
Pacific Island Screen Actors (PISA) I Pacific Kids Learning I Joey Schuster @ St Paul's College I Esera & Tupe from Poporazzi Productions and the Pacific Youth Short Film Competition I Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa I Miki Magasiva I Tusi Tamasese I Alex Liu I Vea Mafile'o I Luciane Buchanan I Suluafi Brianna Fruean I Elizabeth Koroivulaono I and all cast and crew - past and present - of these glorious films.
Fakafetai lahi to event supporters Stallone and Abba-Rose @ PISA I Billie and Matt @ The Hollywood I Nicola and Paul Owens, @ Audio Described Aotearoa I Fatima Akehurst @ Blind & Low Vision NZ I Ed Peni I Kevin Keys I Andrew @ Madman I Ahutoa Lanefale and Lana McFall @ Hanga Studio
MAKETI - SIVA AFI - FIAFIA NIGHT
SATURDAY 5 JULY, 1PM - 9PM
NEW LYNN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 45 TOTARA AVE NEW LYNN

CARING FOR CREATION MAKETI
1PM - 9PM
Pacific Vision Aotearoa host our lunch and dinner spread Caring for Creation Makeki. Support over 40 food and craft stalls.
BYO cash and an empty stomach!
Bring your family and dine in as we aim for a zero waste makeki, caring for people and planet.
WEST SIVA AFI WHĀNAU COMPETITION
1PM - 3PM
Watch the first Westside Siva Afi competition with competitors across three levels - Junior, Intermediate and Seniors. Come and support our fire dancers of all ages as they compete to win their grade and go on to open the Whau Pasifika Festival's FIAFIA NIGHT at 6pm.
Brought to you by Siva Afi Festival, AktiveZone and MaieSitete, friends and family!


Fiafia Night
6PM - 9PM
We end the Whau Pasifika Festival in song, dance and cultural celebration!
Dine in at the makeki, then enjoy an amazing lineup of local talents, homegrown and imported from the islands.
PERFORMERS
DJ Tuafale I Liku village I Avondale College Dance I MaieSitete Siva I PHAB Pacific I Te Ao o Tonga I AktiveZone Dance group I and more I with MC Hadleigh Pouesi
NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED I ALL WELCOME I ENJOY!

MALO AUPITO
Artists:
Ahutoa Lanefale, Ululau Ama, Nunu Ama, Tim Danko, Paul Walsh, Pusi Urale, The Malosi Project, Kelston Boys High School Students, Kelston Girls College Students, Avondale College Students, Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa, Taniela Tuakalau, Vea Mafile’o, Haanz Fa’avae-Jackson, Sima Urale, Kasi Valu, Halaifonua Finau, Nicola Kawana, Audio Described Aotearoa and Craig Fasi, Iefata Tuialii, Abhi Chinniah, and many more to come...
Supporters:
Whau the People, All Goods, I Love Avondale, Rosetta and Pepe (Whau Local Board Staff), Auckland Council Venues and Library Programmes Team (New Lynn/Avondale), Cynthia @ Avondale Business Association and About Us Magazine, PolyX Night Market, Kelston Boys High School, Hollywood Cinema, Moana Fresh and Pollywood Pasifika Film.
Funders:
Lottery Grant, Whau Local Board, The Trusts