Samoa

Village Coordinator – Te’eva Matafai

What are your village’s music highlights?

On Saturday there will be a variety of performers, including the Tatau Dance Group,  Deelicious Dance Crew, Measina (an all Samoan female dance group), The Five Stars Band, Cindy of Samoa, Rosita Vai, J Williams and Julie Ta'ale and upcoming young family group Charisma. There will also be an appearance by Miss Samoa New Zealand 2012-2013, Penina Maree Paeu, and much more.

Sunday is the inaugural Samoa Voices Choir competition. This is an opportunity for Samoa choirs to demonstrate their musical gifts and talents. Choirs will perform two pieces, one of which must be in the gagana Samoa (Samoan language) and there will even be a guest judge.

What are some must see activities?

Traditional Samoa carving by the Samoa Master Carvers, Pio Timu and Petelo Esekielu and the Siva Samoa workshops in the fale and activity tent.

What’s a ‘must-try’ dish?

Umu - pua'a (pork), luau, baked/boiled taro and bananas
Seafood - octopus, raw fish, baked fish 
Povi masima - cooked with cabbage
Pisupo - corned beef cooked in various ways

What’s a little-known fact about your country or Pasifika village?

There are more Samoans in Auckland than all other brothers and sisters from across the Pacific, and there are many talents in all fields of arts, music, songs, performances in traditional and contemporary form.

What else can you tell us about the village?

There are over 30 stalls of food and crafts, so the range of things to experience will be great for our visitors. Take your time to try them out and sit in front of the stage and enjoy the experience while tasting the Samoa prepared and cooked food and side dishes.

When did you join Pasifika?

Samoa began the journey from day one and it grew in terms of number of participants and visitors. As the Village Coordinator, I have been in this role for over five years and I’m enjoying every year of it.

What does the community think about Pasifika?

The Pasifika Festival is an iconic event and the Samoa village contributed massively to achieving this status. It is the best event and is special being held in the biggest Pacific city in the world.

Any last words?

There are three key areas for visitors to enjoy and experience: stage performances, experiencing workshops in the fale and activity tent, and the stalls for food and crafts.