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March 20, 2026
#culture: ASB Polyfest 2026: Day Two Showcased Culture, Community and Intergenerational Strength
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On March 20, 2026
Day two of the 2026 ASB Polyfest has delivered another powerful celebration of Pacific identity, language and youth excellence, drawing thousands of families through the gates at the Manukau Sports Bowl.
With clear skies and strong community turnout, the festival continued to build momentum, reinforcing its place as one of the largest and most significant cultural events of its kind in Aotearoa.
The day featured high-profile visits from Marama Davidson and Shane Reti, reflecting the growing political and national recognition of Polyfest as a key platform for youth, culture and community engagement.
Across the festival grounds, the sound of native languages filled the air as students took to the Cook Islands, Niue and Tongan stages, delivering speeches and performances grounded in heritage and identity. Cultural expression was also on full display at the Local Doctors Diversity Stage and the University of Auckland Samoan Stage, where schools competed with pride, precision and passion.
Festival Director Seiuli Terri Leo-Mauu described the day as a continuation of the strong energy seen since opening, with large crowds turning out to support their tamariki and rangatahi. She emphasised the importance of preparation for those attending over the coming days, encouraging whānau to take precautions in the heat while enjoying the event either in person or through the livestream option.
A standout moment of the day highlighted the intergenerational nature of Polyfest, with a 92-year-old attendee making the journey to support her son running a stall. The moment underscored the depth of community connection that underpins the festival – where whānau, from kaumātua to mokopuna, all play a role in its success.
Another milestone for 2026 has been the expansion of the University of Auckland Samoan Stage programme. For the first time in Polyfest history, performances were extended across three days instead of the traditional two, creating more opportunities for co-educational schools to showcase their talent and compete for top honours. The stage drew strong crowds throughout the day, reflecting both the popularity and significance of Samoan culture within the festival.
Looking ahead, Friday’s programme is set to bring full scale intensity, with all five major stages – Cook Islands, Diversity, Niue, Samoan and Tongan – coming to life simultaneously, promising a full day of cultural pride and performance excellence.
The festival will also host its VIP function at the ASB Activation Marquee, attended by senior political and community leaders including Winston Peters, Rima Nakhle, Carmel Sepuloni and Claire Achmad.
International connection will also be a feature, with Cook Islands secondary school Te Rereora College travelling to Aotearoa to perform on the Cook Islands stage. Their appearance will be witnessed by Mark Brown, alongside First Lady Daphne Brown and Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand Kairangi Samuela, further highlighting Polyfest’s reach across the Pacific.
As the festival moves into its final days, the message remains clear – ASB Polyfest is not just an event, but a living expression of culture, identity and community, driven by the energy of young people and the unwavering support of those who stand behind them.
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