Kuapapa Ko au ko te Taiao! Ko te Taiao ko au! He Toa Taiao Taiohi nō te Moana nui a Kiwa, āke, ake, ake!
Dilworth’s Samoan and Tongan Groups delivered wonderful performances at this year’s ASB Polyfest held over the weekend, 20-22 March.
They were honoured and received awards at this morning's school assembly.
Dilworth Samoan Group
Samoan Group Leader and Deputy Head Prefect Xavier Jennings-Sio thanked his 54-strong Kiliuati for a brilliant overall win. He remarked that this has seen some of the group’s best performances - after 81 hours of teaching, learning, practising, polishing, and perfecting!
“Thank you for consistently choosing each other and for making this Polyfest unforgettable. We acknowledge our gracious God, for without him, we are nothing”.
He thanked the staff who supported the group: Ms White, Ms Lewis-Roberts, Ms Calverley, Ms Hyndman, Mr Laban, Mr Seleni, Mr Tanielu, and Ms Mattie Naseri.
“Your constant support and love for our group gave us the strength we needed to honour our culture”.
And gave special thanks to what he termed “Our GOAT tutor team” (Old Boys), Andrew Savea, Giorvanni Leupolu, Jerry Reopoamo, Joshua Futi, Tristan Ah-Sui, and the great songwriter Maoiautele Pule Tusa aka Pule Tz.
“Their hard work and dedication made this journey even more meaningful”.
Samoan Group Leadership Team
Xavier Jennings-Sio, Lomitusi Uili, Christian Tuifao, Joshua Simo’o, Petaia Lokeni, Parker Stevens and Posala Tusa.
Samoan Competition Results:
Ulufale (Entrance) - 1st Place
Ulufafo (Exit) - 2nd Place
Togiga (Uniform) - 2nd Place
Fa’ataupati - 1st Place
Sasa - 2nd Place
Pese o le Aso - 1st Place
Taualuga - 3rd Place
Dilworth Tongan Group
Our Tongan group also had a wonderful weekend, finishing 3rd in both their performances, Ma’ulu’ulu and Taufakaniua.
This hard-won result reflects the dedication and commitment of every member of the group and the staff who supported them, and it clearly delighted the team.
Kulupu Tonga O Dilworth 2026 Group Leader Siofilisi Veamatahau:
“The lead-up to this year’s Polyfest was a journey built on discipline and sacrifice. During Polyfest, stepping onto the stage was a proud moment for all of us. In that short time, everything we had worked on came together. The discipline from practices, the brotherhood we built, and the pride in our identity. We performed with confidence, knowing the work had been done”.
Siofilisi invited Year 11 student Saulala Nuku up to the stage. Saulala represented Dilworth in the Tongan speech competition (Year 11 category), finishing third overall, representing Dilworth with pride.
“He spoke excellently on the topic of “I am an NZ-born Tongan, and it is important to learn the Tongan language”.
Tongan Group Leadership Team
Siofilisi Veamatahau, Hiroki Mafi, Sepa Mafi, Pomana Halatanu, Tupou Veamatahau, Ether Fonoia, Adrian Vea.