Now in its 22nd year, the festival is corefunded by the City Council. The multicultural festival this year features traditional and contemporary performances by more than 2000 children from more than 45 primary and intermediate schools in the region. To cope with demand the organisers have added another day and a seventh public concert.

The festival is an opportunity to see a vibrant celebration of Aotearoa's many cultures. This year�fs theme is Learning from our past, reaching for our future (I ako mai muri, E ako mai mua).

"The festival's all about participation, not competition," says Event Manager Ali Nauman. "It's exciting to see the festival gain momentumand know that so many children, families and communities will benefit from being involved."