March 13, 2014
Confidence a benefit of Polyfest
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The Manukau Sports Bowl has been full with dance and performance today as teams from 62 Auckland secondary schools showcase their cultures in the annual ASB Polyfest.
Organising committee member, Dean Wilson, says the fastest growing of the six stages is the Diversity Stage, which features performances outside the traditional Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Niuean and Cook Islands competitions.
For the first time this year a trophy will be awarded for the best performance on the Diversity Stage.
Mr Wilson says as former students testified at the launch event, Polyfest is not about winning but about pride, confidence and identity.
"It really gave us a boost to hear the positive impact the festival has on people’s lives and we know that the youth certainly look forward to it, it’s a highlight of the secondary school calendar, but in terms of the lessons and just that confidence it gives students, that was a real boost to hear that from students that had been involved in the past," he says.
Organisers are looking closely at the passage of Cyclone Lusi towards New Zealand, and are prepared to postpone Saturday’s finals if necessary.
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