Miharo Central Lakes programmes and events lead Aroha Solomon says this year’s event is shaping up to be the biggest yet, with 39 performance groups, representing 25 schools, kohanga, early learning centres and community groups from across the region set to perform.
All in, over 1800 performers will take to the stage over the two days — up from 1400 last year — supported by local schools, teachers and vollies.
Solomon says because a historic strike’s been confirmed for next Thursday, involving teachers, principals, support staff, kaiārahi i te reo, therapists, and Ministry of Education workers, who are "all standing together in collective action", the Central Lakes Polyfest schedule’s been adjusted to start a day earlier.
"We fully acknowledge and support this kaupapa and the importance of standing together for education in Aotearoa.
"We’re ... working closely with schools, the venue and suppliers to ensure all performances by our tamariki and rangatahi can still be shared with their whanau and community."
Solomon says they’re also hugely grateful to Central Lakes Trust which has provided a $50,000 grant for this year’s event.
Performances run from 9am till 3pm each day — the schedule’s available via miharo.co.nz
Entry’s by gold coin donation, while a livestream’s also available on the Miharo website.
Simultaneously, Remarkables Park’s Te Atamira’s hosting the Mīharo Art Exhibition, which celebrates the work of early childhood tamariki through to high school rangatahi, until next Wednesday.
