The Pasifika Festival in the Bay is more than a single day of celebration. It is the signature event of our ongoing commitment to honour the identities, heritage, and wellbeing of Pacific peoples in the Bay of Plenty. We create a welcoming space for Pacific families and the wider community to connect, learn, and celebrate together year-round. For our 2026 festival, we invite your organisation to move beyond sponsorship and become a true partner in this vital cultural mission.
Investing in the Pasifika Festival in the Bay is a meaningful investment in community, culture, and shared future. Your support is critical for delivering an event that is free or low-cost for families, ensuring it remains accessible to all.
Celebrate Cultural Diversity
Support a festival that celebrates Pacific heritage while embracing and welcoming people of all cultures. The event fosters unity, respect, and shared understanding across communities.
Engage with a Diverse Audience
Connect with a wide range of attendees — families, students, educators, community groups, and leaders — who come together to enjoy a vibrant day of culture, food, and performances.
Enhance Your Brand’s Visibility
Show your organisation’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Sponsors are recognised through our marketing channels, digital presence, and onsite visibility during the festival.
We believe the best partnerships are built on shared values and a commitment to genuine impact.
Contact us today to begin the conversation about a partnership for 2026:
Mel Ross | Festival Director
Email: mel@pasifikainthebay.co.nz
By partnering with the Pasifika Festival in the Bay, your organisation does more than support an event. You affirm the value of Pacific cultures, invest in the wellbeing of our community, and stand alongside us as we celebrate a vibrant, shared future. We look forward to welcoming you into our aiga of supporters.

Mel is the chairperson of the Pasifika in the Bay Trust. She loves all things Pacific, in particular working with amazing people to initiate and deliver successful Pacific programmes and events. Mel enjoys her dream job, reading, hanging out with her nieces and nephews, travelling with friends and family, and is adamant to snowboard until she can’t. She is currently thinking about taking up golf.

Mel is the chairperson of the Pasifika in the Bay Trust. She loves all things Pacific, in particular working with amazing people to initiate and deliver successful Pacific programmes and events. Mel enjoys her dream job, reading, hanging out with her nieces and nephews, travelling with friends and family, and is adamant to snowboard until she can’t. She is currently thinking about taking up golf.

Alva is the Treasurer of the Pasifika in the Bay Trust with over eighteen years of experience as a business owner in the financial services industry. Together with her husband Alex, they’ve raised three high achieving young adults. Alva is passionate about supporting and empowering young people to reach their full potential. Alva loves playing board games, spending time with family and friends, baking, cooking and makes a mean chop suey.

Annette is the Secretary for Pasifika in the Bay Trust and hails from the islands of Samoa and Tokelau, with German ancestry. She is a trained Primary School Teacher, with a Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in Marketing, and recently completed her Masters in Education. Her passion is to actively seek new ways to support Pacific people and is excited about creating her own opportunities. She enjoys catching up with family and friends, arts and crafts and loves the outdoors.
