Pasifika Festival History

Pasifika Festival began in 1993 and has grown to become largest celebration of Pacific culture.

Celebrating Pasifika: 

A Moment in Time



  • Origins

    Origins

    Pasifika Festival: the beginning
    Pasifika Festival began in 1993 as a celebration of Pacific pride, identity, and community in Aotearoa. Over time, Western Springs Park became the natural home of the festival, a gathering place where cultural villages, families, and performers could come together in one vibrant setting.

  • The Village Concept & Style Pasifika

    The Village Concept & Style Pasifika

    Celebrating diversity through village life and style
    In 1998 the festival introduced the cultural village layout, showcasing the unique traditions of Pacific nations side by side. Earlier, Style Pasifika added a fashion dimension that elevated Pacific design on the world stage until its final show in 2011.

  • A Growing Legacy

    A Growing Legacy

    The world’s largest Pacific cultural festival
    From its early community roots to its evolution into an internationally recognised celebration, Pasifika Festival continues to empower Pacific voices, share cultural knowledge, and bring people together through performance, food, art, and storytelling.