Eleven Waitaki schools are taking part in this week’s Otago Polyfest, being held at Dunedin’s Edgar Centre. 

Palmerston, Te Pakihi o Maru, Weston, Fenwick, Ōamaru Intermediate, St Joseph’s, Pembroke, Waitaki Boys’ High, Waitaki Girls' High, St Kevin’s College and East Otago High schools’ Kapa Haka and Pasifika groups have travelled to Dunedin for the 30th Otago Polyfest.

More than 130 groups from around the Otago region are registered for this year’s event. 

Organisers said the Otago Polyfest is an opportunity for children, young people and whānau to participate in Māori and Pacific cultural experiences that broaden and celebrate their individual and collective cultural identities.

From humble beginnings at the Dunedin College of Education, and only lasting half a day, the Otago Polyfest now runs over five days and has thousands of performers crossing the stage.

A recorded livestream of the festival can be found on the Otago Polyfest Facebook Page.

Weston School kapa haka group held a public dress rehearsal on Wednesday (September 13). PHOTO: Ashley Smyth