South Pacific Festival of Arts, 1976, Rotorua

The first South Pacific Festival of Arts was held in Suva, Fiji, in 1972. This was a result of a decision made following the South Pacific Conference. Member governments felt that traditional arts from South Pacific nations were in danger of being lost or submerged by other cultures. It was believed that a festival involving all the countries in the South Pacific Commission's area would not only conserve local art forms but develop them as well. The festival would also provide a social occasion for Pacific people to mix in a friendly atmosphere. (South Pacific Festival of Arts, 1976).

The festival is held every four years and hosted by a member nation of the South Pacific Commission. It is traditionally held in the same year as the Summer Olympics. Around 1984, the festivals name was changed to the Festival of Pacific Arts. (Stevenson, 2012).

Rotorua was selected as the host location for the second South Pacific Festival of Arts, which was held from 6 March to 13 March 1976. 1,200 participants from 22 countries/territories, including New Zealand, attended. 1976 also saw Hawaii and Easter Island, which were outside the South Pacific Commission's area, invited to participate. An invitation to host the festival was made by former Prime Minister Norman Kirk. At the time, it was the biggest event New Zealand had hosted since the 1974 Commonwealth Games. It cost the New Zealand Government approximatively $650,000. ("Arts festival may be last", 1976).

The opening ceremony was held on 6 March, at the Rotorua International Stadium, with the Governor-General Sir Denis Blundell and the Prime Minister, the Hon. Robert Muldoon, in attendance. It was estimated 20,000 people attended. ("Festival Opens", 1976).

The full list of countries and island territories participating included Australia; Cook Islands; Easter Island; Fiji; French Polynesia; Guam; Gilbert Islands (now part of Kiribati); Hawaii; Nauru; New Caledonia; New Hebrides (now Vanuatu); New Zealand; Niue; Norfolk Island; Papa New Guinea; Pitcairn Islands; Solomon Islands; Tokelaus; Tonga; Tuvalu; Wallis and Futuna; Western Samoa (now known as Samoa).

The festival programme included over 190 separate performances of song, dance, drama and music, at 10 indoor and outdoor venues. The 10 venues used were: Rotorua International Stadium (outdoor); Civic Theatre (indoor); Concert Chamber (indoor); Soundshell Compound (outdoor); Soundshell Auditorium (indoor); Arts and Crafts Institute (outdoor); Rotorua Māori Cultural Centre (including theatre, hall, and nearby Pipe Band Hall - all indoors); St Luke's Community Centre (indoor).

There were also several exhibition spaces for visual arts and crafts. The Sportsdrome was the official Exhibition Hall, which housed the UNESCO travelling exhibition, "The Arts of Oceania", which had exhibits from most participating countries. The Conference Hall (next to the Exhibition Hall) displayed contemporary works by Māori painters and sculptors. At the Rotorua Yacht Club there was a display of Hawaiian leis, hats and musical instruments and wood carving and tuning from Australia. There was an exhibition at St Luke's Community Centre of contemporary paintings and carvings from Papa New Guinea, and photographs, painting, stones, stamps and books from New Caledonia. A display of contemporary painting by European Fijians was held at St. Michael's Crypt. There was a Colin McCahon exhibition and display of coral sculptures from Gilbert Islands at Rotorua Art Society Gallery.

Each lunchtime, overseas participants demonstrated traditional games, sports and hobbies on the Rotorua lakefront. The first weekday lunchtime session attracted a crowd of more than 2000 people. ("Venues too small", 1976).

List of festivals

This story was written by Graeme (2024, October 25).

References

Arts festival may be our last (1976, March 11). Daily Post, p. 1.
Festival opens. (1976, March 8). Daily Post, p. 10.
South Pacific Festival of Arts. (1976). NZ' 76 South Pacific festival of arts, Rotorua, New Zealand 6-13 March 1976 [Brochure].
Stevenson, K. (2012). The festival of Pacific arts celebrating 40 years. Secretariat of the Pacific Community. https://www.guampedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Festival-of-Pacific-ArtsSPCHistory.pdf
Venues too small. (1976, March 9). Daily Post, p. 1.