Unitec’s Mt Albert campus will come alive in a colourful celebration of Pacific culture on Tuesday, 25 March for Unitec Pacific Day.
Kaimahi and ākonga are invited to attend this free event at the Pacific Fale and enjoy a feast of music, entertainment, food, activities, prizes, and stalls showcasing Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Fiji, Rotuma, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
The languages of these islands are being celebrated across Aotearoa during the Pacific Language Weeks from May to November 2025.
Unitec Pacific Day takes place during a busy month for Tāmaki Pacific communities with the annual Pasifika Festival being held this weekend at Western Springs on 8-9 March 2025, and Polyfest in Manukau on 2-5 April 2025. Unitec and MIT is co-sponsoring the Tongan stage at Polyfest.
“Join us in celebrating the vibrant Pacific cultures that shape Unitec’s diverse community,” says Daisy Bentley-Gray, Interim Manager-Pacific Success.
“We are looking forward to supporting our Pacific learners and community through some fun activities.”
Unitec’s former Pacific Success director, Seulupe Falaniko (Niko) Tominiko has been confirmed as the event’s MC and his renowned humour, vast knowledge of Pacific trivia and gamesmanship will add to the occasion.
Event coordinator and Pacific Academic Development Lecturer, Venusi Taumoepeau says kaimahi and ākonga can look forward to a larger and more extravagant event than last year’s pilot.
“This year, we wanted to make it bigger on a larger scale, and extend it to everyone,” he explains. “We will have more workshops, Pacific cultural performances and a main stage that will not only have music and dance performances, but also guest speakers and students taking part in a Pacific speaking series called ‘Tala’.”
According to Taumoepeau, the theme of this year’s event is to “reflect the legacy of Pacific identity in our communities, staff and students and show how diverse and supportive we are.”
WHAT: Unitec Pacific Day
WHEN: Tuesday, 25 March from 10am-2pm
WHERE: Unitec Pacific Fale, Mt Albert Campus
COST: Free Entry, BBQ provided
Find out more about Unitec Pacific Day!
Wow so beautiful and inspiring to see this event grow from the pilot last year. Well done Venusi for leading this and thank you to all who will be involved this year!