Auckland Pasifika Festival 8-9th March 2025 . I Was There!

 This is a long post, and I will try to keep the dialogue brief. Grab your cuppa, sit back and relax as you scroll through! Firstly, Auckland is the biggest Polynesian City in the world. we have residents from all the Pacific Islands living in Auckland. We have a great mix of cultures here, and I try to go to as many of the different festivals as I can. I went to the Festival Italiano a couple of weekends back, and that was lots of fun! I took the photo below, of part of the huge Lake, which is at Western Springs. A huge park area that has many pathways, and Chinese style bridges over parts of the Lake. There is also a big playground for kids to play in. The Auckland Zoo backs on to Western Springs, and if you're lucky you can sometimes hear the Lions roar! It can be a bit frightening if you're a tourist and not aware the Zoo is so close. So, back to the photo's...

There are hundreds of wild birds wandering around, as well as the usual Seagulls and Pigeons, there are also these birds, called Pukeko. You should hear them fighting, which I did! They scream, and it's loud! If you can't see them, and you hear them, you would think someone had been murdered!

A couple of the stalls selling all kinds of things, from clothing to jewelry, hand woven baskets, all kinds of things.

Below was one of the many Polynesian groups singing and dancing. 

Right next to Western Springs Park is MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology. I didn't go there as it costs to get it. I took the photo below, through the fence. It's a little Church. One of my cousins was married here, and I did his wedding photo's. I forget how many people it holds, but is very tiny. It' is a very popular Church for holding Weddings, and I believe you have to book it a couple of years (at least) in advance.

Below is some Historic house, also taken through the fence, at MOTAT.

Below are some of the old Tram lines outside MOTAT. I have been on the tram a couple of times. It runs from MOTAT and goes passed the Zoo, and then comes back to MOTAT. It's a very relaxing ride, and the interior of the Tram has been preserved, so it has all the original fittings etc.

So, back to the Festival...here's what I wore! It was a stinking hot sunny day, (Sunday) and I love to dress for the occasion! This (below) is my favourite summer dress!

Below is my sun hat, yes I added the flowers to it! (That's Romeo in the background!) I wanted to wear my sunhat because it matched what I was wearing. I usually tie my hair up in the summer as it is so long, and it gets so hot. But i left my hair out so I could wear the hat.

wore this in 

I went to the Festival on Saturday as well as Sunday, and because it wasn't sunny that day, I wore these flowers in my hair! (Yes, I made that too!) I hand stitched  the flowers onto some elastic. I wore some shorts and summer top that day. Not a good day on Saturday. I ended up with a headache and came home after and hour or so. There were so many groups all with their own bands and music, and it was really LOUD. A lot of people were complaining about how loud it was. I also began to feel unwell, and so I left without seeing everything. Much better day Sunday...read on!

Even  my shoes matched my outfit!

This was my bag I took with me, and yes, I decorated that too! Give me a hot glue gun and colourful things get created!

Ok, here's the bit you've been waiting for ....I went shopping!! Below is a handbag, made from coconut shells and then hand painted. The guy I bought it from said his Auntie back home in the Island s makes these herself. I told him to tell her she was very talented! This is the front of the bag.

Below is the back of the bag of the bag.

The photo below is of a couple of stretchy bracelets I bought, I just love all the gorgeous colours! These are also made of hand painted coconut shells. The beads shape and colours remind me of some sweets we have here called Jelly Beans!

The next 2 photo's are also some ear rings I got. The ear rings directly below are hand also made from hand painted coconut shell.

These ones are made from tiny seashells.

Some bright coloured foam flowers I will weave into my hair!

A tiny (2 inch) bag from Samoa. I didn't realize until i got home that has a magnet on the back! Perfect on my fridge!

I love the deep Sapphire colour of this necklace! Sapphires are my fave gem stone. I am not keen on diamonds as I find them a very 'cold' gem. 

Oops! This ended up anything but brief! Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bight each and every day!