Pasifika Festival set to honour musical legend Bob Marley this weekend

One of the biggest Pacific festivals kicks off this Saturday, which will include special tributes to music icon Bob Marley, who touched down in Aotearoa 45 years ago.

The reggae and musical legend, who is the source of inspiration for many Pacific artists, performed his only concert in New Zealand at the Western Springs Stadium in 1979.

Niuean-Māori and award-winning reggae and hip hop artist Che Fu, alongside his monumental Polynesian Panther father Tigilau Ness met Bob Marley at that one-off concert.

This year's festival will see Tigilau's band, Unity Pacific, alongside Che Fu and grandson Loxym perform a heartfelt tribute to Bob Marley and his legacy.

Additionally, the festival will host an exhibition of rare photos of Bob Marley meeting local iwi all those years ago.

The annual two-day festival spanning 9 to 10 March was first held in 1993 to celebrate and embrace South Pacific cultures.

This year's free entry festival continues that tradition with eight villages showcasing 11 Pacific Island nations with over 100 food and craft stalls selling staple items from 'otai to hāngī.

Photo/Website/Pasifika Festival

Many may be aiming to use the festival as an opportunity to stock up on some Pacific essentials, such as manoi oil, pareu (lava lava), kato (bag), pulou (church hat) and puletasi (dress).

There will also be some stalls selling cultural adornments or jewelry for those more aesthetically inclined, alongside the iconic Pacific ili (hand-held Pacific fan) which depending on the weather might be a necessity.

Map of this year's Pasifika Festival. Photo/Pasifika Festival

Niuean village spokesperson Lynn Lolokini Ikimotu Pavihi encourages fairgoers to get amongst the many programmes scattered across the park.

"We have Flora Neemia's fashion show and the Favona Niue bilingual unit, or Manako Lahi Mokoina ke he Vagahau Niue," Pavihi says.

"Come and be part of the audience to watch Tigilau Ness, Che Fu, Malcolm Lakatani and Anna Tukitoga who's coming from Wellington!"

Watch the full interview with Pavihi via PMN Niue's FB page below:

The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) centred within the festival is also offering free admission to festival attendees.

For more information on location, parking and health and safety visit the Pasifika festival site here.