The Pasifika O Aoraki Festival is being touted as a chance for everyone to experience Pasifika culture.
Tomorrow’s market is a celebration of all Pasifika living in the Aoraki region and is a collaboration between non› profit organisations Aoraki Pasifika and Multicultural Aoraki, as well as the local Pasifika community.
Aoraki Pasifika co-founders Sange Malama-Tuisaula and Amy Logavatu said the market was a good opportunity for the community as a whole to learn about the culture.
‘‘It’s good for families, kids and the community to acknowledge and highlight the culture,’’ Mrs Logavatu said.
The festival will begin with an opening ceremony at 9.30am, with the Te Aitarakihi Kapahaka group singing a himene (hymn) to bless and open the festival.
The market will start at noon and the day will include cultural hubs, performances and market stalls selling traditional Pasifika food.
Mrs Malama-Tuisaula said they had also invited local schools to have their Pasifika pupils, along with their families, attend the festival.
There would be a mixture of 10 schools, community groups and church groups participating and performing at the market.
Ara Institute of Canterbury would be providing the venue, which Mrs Logavatu said was appreciated.
‘‘It’s been great getting community support behind this event and it will be a great day.’’
Organisers hoped in future the market would be able to run over a few days and would become an annual event in the South Canterbury region, she said.
