ASB Polyfest burst back into 2026 with vibrant energy, celebrating 51 years of Māori and Pacific cultures across Tāmaki Makaurau. Held over two weeks across the Pasifika and Diversity Stages and Te Paparewa Māori, the festival welcomed more than 80,000 attendees.
Guided by the kaupapa 'The environment lives in me, as I live in it,' Polyfest celebrated identity, belonging and environmental guardianship, values that strongly resonate with Te Kura, its ākonga and their whānau.
Te Kura had a strong presence at this year’s festival, using the event as an opportunity to connect with current and prospective ākonga, showcasing the breadth of learning pathways available.
Positioned directly in front of the Samoan Stage, Te Kura's stall provided a prime opportunity to promote Gagana Sāmoa courses to the thousands of visitors passing by each day. Ākonga and whānau also learned about Te Kura’s wider offerings, including dual enrolment, Summer School and Leaving to Learn programmes, international student options, and te reo Māori and Ao Haka online classes.
Te Kura kaimahi Frank Tasi with Polyfest youth
Te Kura’s Gagana Sāmoa kaiako, Litia Paulo, noted the strong momentum behind the programme.
“We were proud to showcase our Gagana Sāmoa programme, which continues to grow in popularity among ākonga seeking cultural reconnection and language pathways.”
Tāmaki Makaurau is also home to a Pasifika Fono, led by Delaney Melei, who encouraged her ākonga to attend Polyfest to immerse themselves in the cultural richness of the event.
“It’s important that our students get the opportunity to celebrate their culture and who they are.”
This experience provided learning well beyond the classroom, strengthening each student's sense of identity, belonging, and their connection to both culture and environment.
Pasifika kaimahi representing Te Kura
Photo: Delaney Melei, Pete Westrupp, Loretta Schmidt and Litia Paulo
Te Kura’s National Leader of Learning Pasifika, Loretta Schmidt, is no stranger to Polyfest. Based in Invercargill, she is part of the community that helps run Polyfest in Murihiku, and brings extensive experience in Pasifika education and cultural engagement.
Moving forward, Loretta is progressing a plan to broaden Pacific language options and establish Pacific Studies at Te Kura, co‑designing with communities to ensure Pacific ākonga have strong, relevant pathways to achievement.