Music, fashion, film, and fierce debating all came together at last year’s Whau Pasifika Festival, transforming venues across West Auckland into vibrant celebrations of Pasifika culture and community.
Now firmly established on the local cultural calendar, the festival showcases the creativity, talent, and traditions of Pasifika communities through a diverse programme of free events. Last year’s festival featured a lively mix of activities, including the ever-popular 12-hour PolyFilms Marathon, a Zero Waste Night Market, and a Fiafia Night celebration to close the programme.
Festival Director Ina Patisolo says the event continues to grow in both scale and community engagement. ‘Last year’s festival saw us host nine events over eight days at seven different venues, involving 764 participants and attracting around 4,200 attendees,’ she says. The festival is delivered largely by a small dedicated team, making the achievement even more impressive. The 2025 theme, Kotahitanga, honoured the late Kiingi Tūheitia and his call for unity. ‘We promote connection and unity by offering every single event free,’ Ina explains. ‘We also time the festival for the first week of the July school holidays so whānau can come together and enjoy the celebrations.’
One of the standout events was the Nesian Threads Fashion Show, which highlighted a growing collaboration with Avondale-based Cokana Fashion. The family-run business creates made-to-measure designs and runs free beginner sewing classes for aspiring clothesmakers. The runway event showcased the talents of sewing students, five established local designers, and community textile groups, highlighting their national textiles. Falelalaga Cultural Centre represented Samoa, Ponsonby Tivaevae honoured the Cook Islands, Sulu Sisters depicted Fijian traditions, and Taulanga Ū displayed Tongan textiles. The Fijian family-run Mode Fabrics cleared their storage warehouse, transforming it into a vibrant catwalk.
The evening featured 25 local models wearing the designs before a full house. Another crowd favourite was the Whau School Debate, which featured teams from Avondale College, Kelston Boys’ High School, Kelston Girls’ College and first-timers Waitākere College. Members of the Malosi Project, Auckland University‘s Pacific Law Student Association, coached the students, sharing debating tips ahead of the event. The competition was judged by three community leaders, including Dr Claire Achmad, the Children’s Commissioner – Mana Mokopuna, content creator and lawyer Riana Te Ngahue and the Malosi Project’s former co-president Veronica Semau. After a spirited contest, Kelston Boys’ High School took out the top honours.
Running the festival each year costs around $95,000. Community support plays a vital role in making the programme possible. ‘It’s worth every cent and more for the deep engagement we foster with our audiences and participants,’ says Ina. Funding of $20,000 from the 2025 Your West Support Fund helped ensure the festival could remain free and accessible, allowing more people to experience and celebrate Pasifika culture. Planning for the 2026 Whau Pasifika Festival is already underway, promising another week of creativity, culture, and community connection across West Auckland.
