Celebrate 10 Years of Culture & Community at the Pasifika Festival in the Bay!

We are beyond excited to announce a very special milestone—the 10th Anniversary of the Pasifika Festival in the Bay!

For a decade, this vibrant event has brought our community together to celebrate the rich cultures, languages, and traditions of the Pacific. This year, we are pulling out all the stops to make our 10th celebration the biggest and best yet. We warmly invite you, your whānau, and your friends to join us for a day filled with joy, rhythm, and delicious kai!

Here is everything you need to know to plan your day:

📅 The Details:

Date: Saturday, 31st October
Venue: Tauranga Girls’ College
Timing: Powhiri starts at 9:00 AM, with the festival officially opening to the public at 10:00 AM.

🎉 What to Expect at Our 10th Anniversary:
Get ready for a full day of excitement with something for everyone:

🎶 Performances & Live Music: Experience the incredible rhythms of the Pacific! Enjoy energetic cultural dance groups, inspiring choirs, and talented live musicians taking center stage.
🔬 STEAM Activities: Spark your curiosity with engaging hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities designed for tamariki and their whānau.
🍛 Delicious Pacific Kai: Treat your taste buds to a mouth-watering selection of authentic Pacific cuisine from our amazing local food vendors.
🤝 Cultural Participation: Immerse yourself in interactive cultural activities that celebrate our shared heritage and community spirit.

Whether you have been with us since the very beginning or this is your first time experiencing the festival, we can’t wait to welcome you with open arms and true Pacific manaakitanga (hospitality).

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 31st October, and come help us celebrate a decade of community, culture, and connection!

Got questions or want to get involved?
For more information, feel free to reach out to us:

📧 Email: mel@pasifikainthebay.co.nz
🌐 Website: www.pasifikainthebay.co.nz
📱 Facebook: facebook.com/PasifikaBOP

See you at Tauranga Girls’ College!

Pasifika in the Bay Trust

Want to keep up with our blog?

LATEST FROM THE PASIFIKA IN THE BAY

Celebrate 10 Years of Culture & Community at the Pasifika Festival in the Bay!

Read More

Unlock Your Academic Potential with the FREE Homo Haia Homework Hub (Term 3, 2026)

Read More

Rising Hibiscus Pasifika Programme Returns for Term 3, 2026!

Read More

Mel Cottingham

Chairperson | New Zealand born British/Niue

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.

Current Masters in Education (Victoria University of Wellington), TeachNZ Study Award

Grad Dip Teach Prim, Level 6 Te Aupikitanga ki te Reo Kairangi, Bachelor of Management Studies

New Zealand Institute of Directors Courses including Governance Essentials, Risk Essentials, Finance Essentials, Strategy Essentials

Experience in Tertiary and Primary – Kura Auraki, Reorua, ESOL

Lived Experiences in the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Niue, UK and South Korea

Nieces and Nephews in Early Childhood Centre, Primary, Secondary Boarding and University

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.

Current Masters in Education (Victoria University of Wellington), TeachNZ Study Award

Grad Dip Teach Prim, Level 6 Te Aupikitanga ki te Reo Kairangi, Bachelor of Management Studies

New Zealand Institute of Directors Courses including Governance Essentials, Risk Essentials, Finance Essentials, Strategy Essentials

Experience in Tertiary and Primary – Kura Auraki, Reorua, ESOL

Lived Experiences in the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Niue, UK and South Korea

Nieces and Nephews in Early Childhood Centre, Primary, Secondary Boarding and University

ALVA TALOPAU

Treasurer | Niue Born and Raised

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.

Current Masters in Education (Victoria University of Wellington), TeachNZ Study Award

Grad Dip Teach Prim, Level 6 Te Aupikitanga ki te Reo Kairangi, Bachelor of Management Studies

New Zealand Institute of Directors Courses including Governance Essentials, Risk Essentials, Finance Essentials, Strategy Essentials

Experience in Tertiary and Primary – Kura Auraki, Reorua, ESOL

Lived Experiences in the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Niue, UK and South Korea

Nieces and Nephews in Early Childhood Centre, Primary, Secondary Boarding and University

ANNETTE LABAN

Secretary | New Zealand born Samoa/Tokelau/German

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.

Current Masters in Education (Victoria University of Wellington), TeachNZ Study Award

Grad Dip Teach Prim, Level 6 Te Aupikitanga ki te Reo Kairangi, Bachelor of Management Studies

New Zealand Institute of Directors Courses including Governance Essentials, Risk Essentials, Finance Essentials, Strategy Essentials

Experience in Tertiary and Primary – Kura Auraki, Reorua, ESOL

Lived Experiences in the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Niue, UK and South Korea

Nieces and Nephews in Early Childhood Centre, Primary, Secondary Boarding and University

EMMA PACKHAM

Trustee | New Zealand born Kiribati/British

Current Masters in Education (Victoria University of Wellington), TeachNZ Study Award

Grad Dip Teach Prim, Level 6 Te Aupikitanga ki te Reo Kairangi, Bachelor of Management Studies

New Zealand Institute of Directors Courses including Governance Essentials, Risk Essentials, Finance Essentials, Strategy Essentials

Experience in Tertiary and Primary – Kura Auraki, Reorua, ESOL

Lived Experiences in the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Niue, UK and South Korea

Nieces and Nephews in Early Childhood Centre, Primary, Secondary Boarding and University

Celebrate 10 Years of Culture & Community at the Pasifika Festival in the Bay!

Want to keep up with our blog?

LATEST FROM THE PASIFIKA IN THE BAY

Celebrate 10 Years of Culture & Community at the Pasifika Festival in the Bay!

Unlock Your Academic Potential with the FREE Homo Haia Homework Hub (Term 3, 2026)

Rising Hibiscus Pasifika Programme Returns for Term 3, 2026!

About Us

Go to

© 2026 Pasifika in the Bay Trust. All rights reserved.