Ngā Taonga sound archives: Polyfest | A Gallery from Afternoons | RNZ National

The world’s largest Polynesian Festival gets underway today at the Manukau Sports Bowl. The Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Polynesian Performing Arts Festival began at Hillary College, Otara in 1976 with just four schools taking part.

In today’s visit to the sound archives of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, Sarah Johnston is going to take us back to the early days of Polyfest.

Mrs Hoana Rapatina and Prime Minister David Lange taking part in the Samoan kava ceremony at Polyfest, 1986. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, photographer Ben Moto. Courtesy Stuff Ltd.

Mangere College Warriors Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

AGGS Chinese Group Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

AGGS Fijian Group Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

AGGS Niuean Group Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

Aorere College Kapa Haka Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

Aorere College Maori Group Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

Aorere College Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

ASB Polyfest Joy Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

ASB Polyfest Powhiri Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

Baradene College Filipino Group Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

Colour Culture from Manurewa High Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

EGGS Indian Group Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

Cook Island Winners - Mangere College Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

Filipino Dancer (Manurewa High) Credit: Ben Campbell Photography

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.