21 Jan 2012

Pasifika Festival kicks off Wellington anniversary weekend

8:47 am on 21 January 2012

Thousands of visitors were expected to flock to Wellington's waterfront on Saturday to sample the sights, sounds and tastes of the Pacific.

Entertainment, food, and arts and crafts from seven Pacific cultures was on show at the fifth annual Pasifika Festival at Waitangi Park.

Wellington City Council community events manager Rebecca Hardie says it's become a hugely popular celebration of the capital's Pacific cultures.

She says the delicious food always attracts big crowds who then stay to enjoy the dancing, drumming and craft stalls.

The Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Hekia Parata, was to officially open the festival which kicks off Wellington's anniversary weekend celebrations.