The Bay of Plenty's Pasifika Festival is back 'better than ever” this year, after two years of cancellations from Covid-19.

The event is a vibrant celebration through dance and food, showcasing the unique cultures of the Pacific Islands 'with a focus on the younger generation,” according to event organisers.

The event will be held at Jubilee Park, Te Puke on Saturday, October 29. Performances will take place between 9.30am and 4.30pm.

This year, three Te Puke schools have combined forces to host about 30 performance groups at the town's Jubilee Park.

'Cultural performance groups from around the Bay will be practicing hard ahead of the big day that will see 30 groups take the outdoor stage in vibrant traditional costumes,” says an event spokesperson.

'The performance groups will be representing nations from all over the Pacific including Tonga, Samoa, Niue, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Fiji and more.”

There will also be market style stalls at the event, packed with authentic foods from the islands to tempt the taste buds.

Previous years crowds have reached the thousands and organisers believe that moving the festival to a Saturday will result in this year 'being bigger than ever”.

'Support from Creative New Zealand has also contributed to the festival's ability to grow. Pasifika in the Bay began in 2016 when a small group of Pasifika teachers within the Bay of Plenty area connected with the vision to raise Pasifika achievement within the school system by giving students a platform to showcase their culture.”

Photo: Miki Nakagawa/Drops Photography.

'The chance for these students to stand on the big stage and represent their heritage in front of teachers, peers, family and the wider community is hugely valuable,” says founding member Mike Douglas.

Te Puke Primary, Intermediate and High School - lead by organisers, Pasifika in the Bay Trust -are all involved with hosting the event.

This is a great way for the Pasifika students and families to strengthen relationships with the schools and their wider community.

The committee behind the festival has grown over the years, along with the size of the event but the vision behind it to promote Pasifika culture within the Bay, remains the same.