Schools from Samoa could be part of next year's Polyfest in New Zealand says Seiuli Terry Leo-Mauu, the director of ASB Polyfest.

The festival, which has been running for 49 years, celebrates the cultures of Aotearoa by bringing together schools from across Auckland. For the 50th anniversary of the Polyfest next year, Seiuli and her team are looking at schools from Samoa.

"We've never had schools from Samoa, you know, so it would be nice that maybe from the 50th or onwards, there's a relationship there to have some of our Samoan schools come to Aukilangi," said Seiuli. 

Seiuli, who hails from the villages of Mulifanua and Salelologa, was born and raised in Grey Lynn, Auckland, and has been running the festival for the last eight years. Before that, she was a performer at the Polyfest for four years at St. Mary's College in Ponsonby. Seiuli's enthusiasm for the festival comes from her connection to it. 

"It's in the blood. It's my right of passage. I came through it as a student. Now I'm the director of it," said Seiuli. 

Seiuli expressed her desire to see schools from Samoa participate in the festival, stating that it would be nice to have a relationship with Samoan schools in the future.

"I think some of our Samoan stage coordinators are actually alumni of Samoa College. So it's being able to just see what the connections are, bringing people over," said Seiuli.

Seiuli discussed the challenges of managing such a large festival, which attracted 75,000 to 80,000 visitors over the past week.

"We are happy seeing the crowds come back and you could see how oversubscribed it was, people coming in, because of how they got gridlocked outside trying to get in," said Seiuli. 

She also spoke about the impact of COVID-19 on the festival, noting that she was happy to see crowds coming back and that preparations for the 50th anniversary were underway.

Seiuli's passion for the festival is evident in her work as the director and owner of Black Sei, her event management company that specialises in cultural photography and creations. She sees it as a way to give back to her parents and to honour the Samoan culture and traditions.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Seiuli started making Tuiga and pale's with materials left by her parents. She then began using them in photography sessions for families who did not have access to such items.

"I found all these things that my mum and dad must have intended to make a Tuiga with, I started making pale's, sei's and things. I wasn't just going to let it sit here," said Seiuli. 

The recollection of a photo shoot with her nephew and his grandfather’s siapo came to her mind. She remembered how significant it was for her nephew to establish a connection with his grandfather through the traditional garment.

"Sometimes they don't feel worthy to wear our measina, but once they connect with it, you know, even though their grandparents aren't here anymore, they feel a really instant connection to their Measina, which I really want to teach the next generation," added Seiuli. 

Seiuli emphasised the importance of celebrating all cultures, not just Samoans at the festival. She noted that the Diversity Stage, which had featured performances from Turkish, Mongolian, and Scottish cultures, celebrates the diversity of Aotearoa.

Seiuli's vision for the future of ASB Polyfest celebrates all cultures and continues to bring together schools from across the Pacific as the festival approaches its 50th anniversary. She acknowledged the help of her operations team and addressed them as family. 

Work is already underway for next year's 50th anniversary, and its theme is closely related to legacy.