How good was Polyfest 2023?
After four years of disruption, high schoolers all over Auckland finally got the Polyfest they had been waiting for.
It was estimated about 60,000 people attended Polyfest last week, where 8000 students from 181 cultural groups representing 55 schools performed traditional speech, song and dance.
It’s the first time in several years that the festival has gone ahead without a hitch, following cancellations due to the Christchurch terror attacks in 2019 and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
For most, it’s not about the win, but the chance to celebrate their culture and embrace their Pasifika heritage.
Manurewa High School’s Sarai Makara-Moreland, 16, was completely out of breath as she stepped off the Cook Islands stage following their high-energy performance.
She said it was a “real privilege” and “a blessing” to get on stage tell the audience: “Hey look, this is my culture. This is where I’m from.”
“The most important thing was we made it up there, and we performed as a team. We are going out, win or lose, as a team.”
Read more of our coverage at Stuff.co.nz, and tell us below - did you watch or compete at Polyfest? How did it go?
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64% Yes
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33.7% No
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2.3% Other - I'll share below
Celebrating SiteWise Gold 100% for 8 Consecutive Years!
Topline has once again achieved SiteWise Gold with a perfect score of 100% for the 2024 / 2025 period - that’s 8 years in a row and counting. It’s a testament to Topline’s ongoing H&S Compliance focus.
The requirements increased this year, with more questions, more evidence and a higher quality scale necessary to score full marks. It takes commitment from the entire team at Topline and an outstanding health & safety culture to achieve this.
“An excellent submission. Congratulations on achieving Gold Standard and a perfect score. Very well done.” SiteWise Assessor - Neville W.
To achieve a perfect score validates our unwavering ongoing commitment to Health & Safety Compliance procedures. We are proud of our SiteWise Gold status, with very few companies in NZ (less than 5%) having achieved this for so many consecutive years.
Read more about this fantastic achievement here:
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.