Po Fiafia 2024: a night of celebration and joy

This year, our annual Pofiafia celebration was certainly a night to remember. It was dedicated to loved ones whose presence lingered in Te Hōro (our renovated school hall), a place of gathering: Mama Iriia Tepaki, Mama Yvonne Maea-Brown, Whaea Lily Laita, and of course, Mama Ka’u Tepaki.

As always, the powerful and unparalleled performance of Waiōrea Kapa Haka set the tone for the night. The joyous celebrations that followed reminded us of what the words Po Fiafia mean – Samoan words for, a happy night. And that is exactly what the 2024 Pofiafia symbolised: a night for whānau and friends to gather and celebrate culture in all its richness. The joy in the faces of the performers and the spontaneous response of whānau as they joined in the singing and dancing, was a sight to behold. The vibrant colours, pageantry, grace, passion, and melodies are stark reminders that this is what WSC-NPoW was founded on.