A new celebration of Pacific culture, music, dance and food is coming to the region this October, with the inaugural Nelson Tasman Pasefika Festival set to bring the community together at Founders Heritage Park.
Held on October 17, the festival will showcase local talent and culture through performances, dance, entertainment, community stalls, activities and delicious Pacific kai.
Organised by the volunteer-led Pasefika Arts & Culture Collective (PACC), the festival has been several years in the making. Festival director Nikita Takai says the event is about creating a space where culture can be shared with the wider community.
"We have partnered with Multicultural Nelson Tasman, so PACC creates opportunities for performance, storytelling and intergenerational exchange that strengthens cultural identity, belonging and community connection,” says Nikita.
"Our vision is for a festival that brings generations together, where our youth can stand proudly on stage, where elders can share their knowledge, and where the wider Nelson Tasman community can experience and celebrate Pasefika culture."
The need for a festival that reflects the region’s growing Pasefika population is clear. The 2023 Census recorded almost 3,000 people identifying as Pacific peoples across Nelson and Tasman, with both regions experiencing significant growth since 2018.
Young people have been at the heart of the festival’s development, with youth given active and visible roles throughout the event, creating opportunities to share their talents, connect with their culture and learn from elders.
"We would like to acknowledge our funders, the Department of Internal Affairs, Nelson City Council, Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Sport Tasman and Port Nelson, as without their support this festival would not be possible."
Everyone is welcome to join the inaugural celebration. Entry is by gold coin koha, with visitors encouraged to bring cash to support community stalls. The Nelson Tasman Pasefika Festival runs from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, October 17, at Founders Heritage Park.
