Arataki School has been busy practising their Cook Island and Samoan items in preparation for the upcoming Pasifika Festival in the Bay to be held at Arataki School on Friday.

This is the second year this Pasifika event is being held for the purposes of building awareness of Pasifika cultures both within schools and the wider community.

Up to 15 schools in Tauranga including pre-schools, primary and secondary schools will be descending upon Arataki School to showcase their Pasifika performances this friday, from 9.30am-2pm.

It's an opportunity for students to share their understanding about what they have learnt through their Pasifika items. As outlined in the Pasifika Education Plan 2013-2017: 'PEP is aimed at raising Pasifika learners' participation, engagement and achievement from early learning through to tertiary education”.

Arataki School teacher Annette Laban expects the 2016 Pasifika Festival in the Bay to be bigger, fresher and better than last year.

'Everyone in the community is welcome and if you can't afford that holiday to a tropical island we promise you the Pasifika Festival in the Bay is the next best thing.

'You'll see vibrant performances from Samoa, Niue, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Kiribati. You'll be able to rub shoulders with Pacific Island leaders including the Minister for Pacific Peoples, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, and enjoy eating delicious pacific island food.”

The 2016 Pasifika Festival takes place at Arataki School on Friday, October 28, from 9.30am-2pm. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/PasifikaBOP