Auckland's multicultural events show the value of budget must-haves

[If you are unable to view this message correctly, click here]( [stuff header]( Hi {NAME},  The return of Auckand’s Pasifika festival to its traditional Western Springs venue marks a remarkable four weeks for Tāmaki Makaurau. From the twin shocks of the January 27 flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle a fortnight later, three big events have put optimism and vibrancy back in the headlines. The kapa haka festival Te Matatini got the ball rolling, making a comeback after four years of Covid-related disruption, and thousands braved sometimes rain-soaked sessions to cheer on the biggest Māori cultural event on the calendar. The upbeat displays of pride and confidence have continued through days of what’s billed as the world’s largest secondary school cultural competition, Polyfest, at the Manukau sports bowl. The multi-cultural performances by 181 groups from 55 schools are a celebration of the diversity of the city. The month-long multi-culture extravaganza winds up with the two-day Pasifika Festival, back at the undulating park at Western Springs, always one of the biggest crowd-pullers in the city. The events are important, not only because of their optimism, but also their future-focus as platforms for younger people to immerse themselves in, or connect with their cultures. The festival season is also a reminder of “normality” as the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic fade. Auckland - and in Te Matatini’s case visitors - strutting their stuff before joyous audiences. They are events that don’t happen in a vacuum, and it should be hoped that this month of celebration does not become a brief normal between periods of ‘abnormal’. The question of a new abnormal arises as Auckland Council pulls together its 2024 budget, a proposal currently including big cuts to community programmes, which directly or indirectly link to these showcases of the city’s multiculturalism. Māori and Pasifika communities are predominantly based in the south and west, which would be hard-hit under the budget as it currently is. At a superficial level, while the mayor Wayne Brown has promised the city’s staple events like Pasifika are assured, the deep cuts proposed for the economic and cultural agency Tātaki Unlimited may undermine its ability to attract and support future events like Te Matatini. Te Matatini, Polyfest and Pasifika are not “nice to haves” they are ”must have” manifestations of strong and vibrant communities, some of which may be hard-hit if the budget continues as it is. [user profile pic] Todd Niall Senior Stuff Journalist [See more Auckland news]( [Privacy Info]( [Privacy Info]( [Watch this video now] 'A wonderful day': Good vibes all round at Big Gay Out Auckland's biggest pride event celebrating the LGBTQI+ community took place at Coyle Park on Sunday, with attendees, including Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, declaring it a "wonderful" day had by all. Sunday's extravaganza was the first since 2021, after the Omicron outbreak threw a spanner in the works for the 2022 event. [Read More]( [Privacy Info]( More Auckland stories you might have missed [Article Image] Extinct plants species rediscovered in Auckland [Read more button]( [Article Image] One arrested after assault, attempted burglary in flood-hit community Piha [Read more button]( [Article Image] The lucky Kiwis who have their own private islands in the Hauraki Gulf [Read more button]( [Article Image] Bus driver stabbed during altercation with passenger in Mt Roskill [Read more button]( [Support Stuff]( [Discover more Auckland news at Stuf]( You are receiving this email because you are opted in to receive the Your Auckland newsletter. [Unsubscribe]( [Manage your profile]( [Privacy Policy]( Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up to get Your Auckland in your inbox]( Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland, 1021, New Zealand