Capturing the atmosphere at the Pasifika Festival with only a digital camera is virtually impossible. Yet I had to try. This annual Pacific Islands-themed festival took place this past weekend in Auckland New Zealand. Attracting close to 100,000 visitors, it is the largest festival of its type in the world.
The Pasifika celebration represents eleven nations, spread throughout the park in villages. Like the island nation it represents, each village has its own personality. We have been to six of the actual island nations (including New Zealand) and found visiting them at Pasifika to feel different than visiting the villages representing countries that are not personally familiar to us.
The 11 Island nations represented are: Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Cook Islands, Niue, Fiji, Tahiti, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Tokelau.
As you enjoy these photos, breathe in the aroma of barbecue and other Pasifika flavours, hear the sounds of island music and drumming, visualise the movements, and enjoy the sunshine.
Practical information on attending Pasifika
UPDATE: Pasifika festival 2019 has been cancelled in the wake of the Christchurch mosque terrorist attacks. Pasifika 2020 is scheduled to be bigger and brighter than ever.
- Like many festivals in Auckland, Pasifika is free.
- Pasifika was held at Western Springs Park again this year. It was moved in 2015 due to biosecurity around the Queensland Fruit Fly being found in the area.
- The event is spread throughout the park, so each “village” is distinct. (According to my Fitbit, I walked 8000 steps at the event).
- Car parking is limited. If possible take public transportation.
- Click here if you are looking for other festivals in Auckland.
Have you been to the Pasifika Festival? Is it somewhere you would like to visit?
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Katie Goss
October 19, 2017 at 6:17 amRhonda,
I enjoyed this very much! Thank you! i am spearheading a fundraising group for Pasifika Enriching Arts of Utah non-profit and I am wondering if I can get permission to use the photo with signs pointing to the different islands?
Rhonda Albom
October 19, 2017 at 6:41 pmThanks Katie. I look forward to seeing your page. I sent you an email with permissions.
Ting
March 26, 2016 at 5:02 amI think you’ve managed to capture the festival wonderfully. Pasifika looks so much fun, colourful and joyful. Would love to go to this. One day I very much hope!
Rhonda Albom
March 28, 2016 at 11:53 amThanks. It is a fun festival. Maybe next year.
Sarika
March 22, 2016 at 12:03 amWow! Very beautiful pictures. Good to see that you’re making an effort to preserve the island culture 🙂
Rhonda Albom
March 23, 2016 at 9:48 amNew Zealand has a strong Maori influence.
noel
March 21, 2016 at 7:58 amI love festivals like this, glad there is a Hawaiian contingent, how fun and the weather looks perfect to be dancing outdoors.
Rhonda Albom
March 23, 2016 at 9:54 amIt was the Hawaiian contingent that made it more difficult for me to decide what to call the areas – are they countries, regions, or something else?
Indah Nuria Savitri
March 18, 2016 at 11:36 pmsuch a colorful festival indeed, Rhonda. And for sure it’s well attended..
Rhonda Albom
March 19, 2016 at 11:52 pmIt does draw a great and friendly crowd.
Hilary
March 18, 2016 at 4:44 amHi Rhonda – looks like an amazing festival – and yes I’d love to visit and see the artists performing. Great photos – that pineapple bowl looks quite amazing – delicious .. cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom
March 19, 2016 at 11:49 pmThat pineapple bowl is such a cool idea, and Melissa loved it.
Deb Nance
March 17, 2016 at 3:48 amSuch beautiful shots!
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 10:43 pmThanks Deb.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
March 17, 2016 at 3:03 amWOW! It would have been great to have been there in person. Beautiful photos Rhonda.
Enjoy your day my friend. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 10:43 pmIt was pretty cool. Maybe next year for you?
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:49 amThanks Raychael.
Ersatz Expat
March 17, 2016 at 12:31 amThis looks brilliant – what a wonderful experience
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 1:01 amAnd it’s annual, so I can do it again next year.
Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope)
March 16, 2016 at 11:32 pmLooks like an amazing event and I am imagining the bbq smell while reading. This is something that I want to see in real life if I can as I am also from the pacific! Thanks for sharing =)
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 1:00 amDid they make you hungry? Where in the Pacific are you from?
Trekking with Becky
March 16, 2016 at 11:05 pmI love how living some place means that you get to see and experience more culture than if you were only there on vacation. I got to see lots of festivals in Japan, and since you live in Auckland, you got to see this one. It looks GREAT!
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:59 amWe have been doing quite a bit of exploring lately, local travel. we are making all sorts of interesting discoveries.
Lexa Cain
March 16, 2016 at 7:38 pmIt kinda reminds me of the folklore shows in Hawaii. The pineapple ice cream looks awesome! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:59 amHawaii was one of the 11 pacific regions, and Melissa said the ice cream was awesome.
Pinay Flying High
March 16, 2016 at 6:52 pmThis looks like fun!!! But what is the festival for? What are they celebrating? 🙂
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:58 amIt’s just an annual festival to celebrate cultural heritage. There is no holiday. Auckland like a good party.
kelleyn rothaermel
March 16, 2016 at 5:35 pmLove it! I want that frozen pineapple bowl. Yummy!
http://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com/2016/03/baby-l.html
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:56 amThe pineapple wasn’t frozen, just carved out, chopped up and mixed in with the ice cream. – yummy
Anda Galffy
March 16, 2016 at 10:16 amWhat a beautiful celebration, Rhonda! We have something very similar to this at the Polynesian Cultural Center on the island of Oahu. I visited the center some years ago and I was amazed by the performances and the wonderful display of costumes. Like you, I was frustrated that my camera couldn’t quite catch the atmosphere, but still I tried…
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:55 amI am not surprised, as Hawaii was one of the 11 regions/nations represented at Pasifika.
Alissa Apel
March 16, 2016 at 9:36 amThat’s so fun! I love watching other cultures dance, sing, and play instruments. I think the head dresses in the top photo are cool! I want one.
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:54 amIt is the combination of activities on stage that make it all so interesting to watch.
Lady Fi
March 16, 2016 at 6:54 amWonderful colours – so festive.
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:50 amIt was bright and fun.
Comedy Plus
March 16, 2016 at 4:37 amHow fun. I would have enjoyed this experience.
Have a fabulous day Rhonda. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:50 amI am sure you would. Maybe next year.
Karen
March 16, 2016 at 4:00 amIt looks like fun! You definitely took me there in my mind with your great photos. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:49 amThanks Karen.
Patrick Weseman
March 16, 2016 at 4:00 amI would love to go. What a really cool festival it must be. It would be great to go.
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:48 amYou’ll have to wait until next year 🙂
Alex J. Cavanaugh
March 16, 2016 at 1:11 amThe dancers look like they’re having a really good time.
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:46 amI think they were.
Tanja (the Red phone box travels)
March 15, 2016 at 11:42 pmit looks really great!
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:46 amThanks Tanja.
stevebethere
March 15, 2016 at 11:07 pmLoved these pics Rhonda they turned out well nice and clear …all those great outfits and colours what fun oh and I want that ice cream haha!
Have a leisurelytastic week 🙂
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:44 amThe traditional and national costumes are so cool.
image-in-ing
March 15, 2016 at 9:59 pmVERY cool!
These are great shots. I love the smiles of the faces of the men in the first shot. You caught them at a great moment.
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:43 amI tried standing directly in front, but the sun glare was too strong. I just had to wait a while for them to turn.
stephanie@stephsjoy
March 15, 2016 at 9:53 pmLooks like a fabulous festival, and your fitbit was obviously happy with you!
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:42 amMy fitbit usually gets a good work out.
Amila @ Leisure and Me
March 15, 2016 at 7:59 pmIt is really interesting to see such dancers.They all look so happy!
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2016 at 12:42 amI think the general happy atmosphere was one of the highlights of the festival.