Letter to the Editor

PACIFICA Inc president, and member of Tiare Ahuriri branch, Dr Diane Mara sent the following letter to the editor of Hawke’s Bay Today.

PACIFIC SHOWCASE BENEFITS US ALL
(Hawke's Bay Today, 18 August 2008, p. 6)

Dear Editor

The Hawke's Bay sPACIFICally Pacific programme has just finished for another year. I was privileged to attend the opening at the King's House Church on Sunday 10th and the final Cultural Explosion evening at Pettigrew Green Arena on the Friday night. In both cases the venues were packed out. Congratulations for this wonderful exposition and celebration of Pacific youth are due to the organisers, in particular Mr Talalelei Taufale and Rose Fatialofa and members of the sPACIFICally Pacific Hawke's Bay Charitable Trust. The enthusiasm and commitment of the young people from seven Hastings and Napier secondary schools as they performed dances and items from a range of Pacific cultures was a joy to behold. The hours of preparation and the support of school staff, parents and the wider Pacific communities including the churches resulted in polished, precision performances, beautiful costuming, and inventive choreography and staging that would rival any of the performances at the annual secondary school's Polyfest held in Auckland. All of the week's events, thanks to sponsorship, had free admission so there was no barrier to anyone in our community attending and witnessing such talent. In contrast to much of the negative profile given to our youth in the media the positive creativity of this week needs to receive greater attention and a wider appreciation across the region. As the population of Pacific youth of this region grows they will become increasingly engaged in and indeed, increasingly shape the cultural life of Hawke's Bay. sPACIFICally Pacific demonstrates what can be achieved when we support youth to celebrate their cultural heritages and their changing identities so that all our community benefits. Our cross-cultural future is in good hands if events like sPACIFICally Pacific continue to be encouraged and that is up to everyone in our community.

Yours sincerely

Dr Diane Mara
Tiare Ahuriri Branch
PACIFICA Inc.(Pacific Women's Council)

Well said Dr Diane Mara!

Maryanne