Students represent Orewa College across two stages, with a returning Tongan rōpū and a first appearance from the Bollywood group

Combined Tongan rōpū returns while Bollywood group makes its first appearance at the festival

At the Manukau Sports Bowl, Auckland, Orewa College ākonga took part in Polyfest 2026, performing on both the Tongan Stage and the Diversity Stage alongside schools from across the region.

Orewa College joined Whangaparāoa College for their fourth combined Tongan rōpū performance, and their first time performing on the Tongan Stage. Students presented Lakalaka and Tau’olunga, following weeks of preparation alongside Hibiscus Tuākana. The group included approximately 80 percent non-Tongan and 20 percent Tongan students, reflecting a shared commitment to learning language and dance.

Principal Wiri Warriner said the performance highlighted both the quality of preparation and the diversity within the group. “What stood out most for me was not just the quality of the performance, but the make-up of the group, students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds coming together to learn, honour, and uplift the Tongan culture and language.”

At the same event, the Orewa College Bollywood group made its Polyfest debut on the Diversity Stage. Formed in 2024, the group’s performance marked a new addition to the College’s cultural representation at the festival, with several students taking part in Polyfest for the first time.

Wiri Warriner said the group’s willingness to step into a new space reflected the purpose of the festival. “For many of the girls, this was their first time attending Polyfest, let alone performing, making it an especially significant and memorable experience.”

In the lead-up to the festival, the rōpū shared their performance with whānau and the wider community at a Fiafia evening. Their performance reflected connections across Māori, Niuean, Samoan, and Tongan identities, supported by a powerful haka tautoko from Whangaparāoa College kapa haka.

These performances reflect both established partnerships and new opportunities for ākonga to engage with culture, language, and performance at Polyfest.

Photo credit: Jo Hayward, Phoenix Iopu-Aso