March 16, 2020
Festivals cancelled at Covid-19 response kicks in
The world's largest celebration of Māori and Polynesian culture is unlikely to go ahead.
Board members will meet this afternoon to discuss the cancellation of this year's Polyfest, the Auckland Secondary Schools Cultural Festival.
It follows the cancellation of last weekend's Pasifika Festival because of fears it could result in the Covid-19 coronavirus getting transmitted into the wider New Zealand population or out again into the Pacific Islands.
South Auckland kaumatua Rangi McLean says tutors believe cancellation is almost inevitable in light of the threat.
Wellington's Homegrown festival has become a victim of coronavirus.
Next weekend's waterfront festival was due to bring together artists including Stan Walker, Shihad, Sons of Zion, Shapeshifter, Katchafire, and L.A.B.
Organiser Andrew Tuck says the festival will be moved to later in 2020.
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