Cultures from all over the world are being celebrated at the Historic Village in Tauranga today.

The event was originally due to be held on March 15, but it was postponed until today due to the wet and wild weather conditions of Cyclone Lusi.

Tieta Kiraua, 23 months, Iotemoro Kooba, 6, and Tebweua Tabunawati, 5, from the Kiribati community at the event today. Photos by Tracy Hardy.

Organiser Ewa Fern says everything is going fantastically today.

'The weather is magical. We have 28 food stalls and about 30 performers. We had one or two people who couldn't come but we managed to get some other groups or performers that were on the waiting list.” Ewa says an official of the Republic of Korea is in attendance, along with the ambassador of the Republic of Poland and Race Relations commissioner Susan Devoy.

'Tauranga MP Simon Bridges is also here.” This is the 15th year the festival has been held.

Ewa says the festival has grown in size during that time with the first festival held at Memorial Park.

'There were just a few stalls and performances. Then we moved to Wharepai Domain and moved to the Historic Village about five years ago.

'The village has created a fantastic atmosphere for the festival with the buildings and everyone involved.”

She says the new additions to the festival this year is the use of the school hall and chapel and embracing the Maori culture.


Nepalese dancers Sonia Adhkai, 10, and Babita Khatri, 12.

The Anthena Greek dance group.

Mariko Sakurai, 17, and Mity Nakatsuka, 16, from Tauranga looking at the La Brioche stand.

National MP Simon Bridges, Sunny Park, 15, Race Relations commissioner Susan Devoy, and Seri Park, 15.