Taking the stage

North East Valley Normal School pupil Ihaia Ford, 10, pulls a pukana while (below) John McGlashan and Columba Colleges’ kapa haka group Te Tira Haere o te Hahi perform during Otago Polyfest yesterday.

Forty-four schools performed at the Edgar Centre.

This year was the festival’s biggest to date. About 12,000 participants were expected to take part throughout the week.

More than 170 educational institutions are presenting cultural performances of haka, poi, waiata-ringa and items from across the Pacific.