This annual event, now the largest Polynesian Festival in the world, officially began at Hillary College, Otara in 1976. It arose from the vision of students like Michael Roll and Mata (Te Kii) Raela and with encouragement of staff members, especially Mr Bill Tawhai, Mr Hone and Mrs Heni Green. Another outstanding figure was the late Ah Lee Fong Ah Chong, initially involved as a student and later as a teacher. The festival’s purpose was to demonstrate their pride in their cultural identity and heritage and bring schools together, as well as the different cultures between them.
When the first festival was held at Hillary College, it was supported by students, staff and parents, including the Parent Teacher Association of the school, led by Mrs Nan Terewi, who took responsibility for the organisation of food – a hangi and tuckshop – even though only four schools took part, the festival attracted a large audience. The then mayor of Manukau, Lloyd Elsmore, opened the festival and welcomed the competitors and guests from Seddon High School (now Western Springs College), Aorere College, Mangere College, as well as the host school Hillary College. Maori, Cook Islands and Samoan groups took part and the competition was won by Mangere College with Hillary College coming second and Seddon third.
From this small beginning, an exciting annual event developed, moving from school to school for many years – for example, Mangere College hosted it in 1977, with competitive and non-competitive groups. Each year saw more schools involved and more cultures took part, so that in 1981, when Hillary hosted the festival again, there were 26 schools involved and two stages up on the top field. By 1991, when Hillary again organised the event, 38 schools were involved, five stages were needed and the Asian community added its cultural performances to the programme. The festival was rapidly becoming so large that it was beyond the capabilities of a single school to manage, so the venue was changed to the Manukau Velodrome in 1995, where it was possible to establish stage areas for all the different cultures and manage the public and parking more easily.
April 2019 – Jane George-Foster
Georgia Gail Tennent-Brown. Known to many as Gail, Aunty Gail, Mama Gail & Miss TB. With passion for the Cook Islands & Cook Islands culture she met Papa George Karaponga when she started teaching at Hillary College in the 1970’s. It was this passion & her gracious heart & spirit that led Papa George to accept her as his own daughter – his tamahine papa’a.
She passed away peacefully on Thursday 18 April 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand.
She was a mother, a beloved family member, an educator & treasured friend to many here in New Zealand, Australia, in the Cook Islands & all over the world.
Jane George-Foster
April 2019