It is one of the largest free community events in the world. In recent years it has become a highlight on the Auckland events calendar, regularly attracting crowds in excess of 200,000 and hundreds of performers from all over the Auckland region, New Zealand and the Pacific.

It is Auckland City Council's Pasifika Festival, and Tanya Muagututi'a is one of the key people working to make it happen.

Hailing from Christchurch, Tanya recently took up the position of artistic coordinator for Pasifika Festival, which is now in its 16th year. During the lead-up to the festival Tanya has been in the thick of the gruelling task of booking talent. There will be a spectacular opening night concert on Friday, 7 March, followed by a whole day packed with performances and entertainment on two stages, food and festivities.

"As well as finding and booking headline acts, we encourage new talent and hold two audition sessions for budding performers. Pasifika Festival is the perfect break for Pacific artists to showcase their talent to the public. We often find that many of the larger, headline acts got their start through the same process years ago."

Tanya says she is proud to be involved in such a magnificent event. "I started in event management around 16 years ago, and half of those years were spent as festival director for the annual Pacific Arts Festival of Christchurch. Our festival in Christchurch is small and artist focused, and in comparison, Auckland's Pasifika Festival has an incredible community focus, which Ole our director has really hit home the event's long-term plan."

Focusing in

There are some exciting new additions this year, including a new Tangata Whenua (people of the land) village and a new themed approach – this year celebrating the eel, a connection taken from the Maori name for Western Springs – Te Wai Orea (lake of eels).

"For me, being part of that contribution is very exciting and I've already learnt so much more about maintaining an event on a scale that's about 100 times bigger than any event I've worked on before. The real challenge is providing a really good programme on the stages and surrounding areas that will satisfy both the audience and the artists," says Tanya.

Honouring families

Tanya says changes to programming on the Contemporary Stage at this year's event are eminent. A section called 'honouring families' is new to the programme and acknowledges notable family units who have made a major contribution to the entertainment and arts industries in New Zealand.

"This means that through an event like Pasifika Festival we can publicly and humbly acknowledge these people. It's also recognition of the strong aiga/whanau concept within Pasifika and Maori communities."

On the stage

Tanya herself is no stranger to being on the stage. A talented singer and writer of music and theatre, she has also been heavily involved in the Christchurch-based music and performing arts group Pacific Underground (PU).

"My husband Pos Mavaega and I have been creating and producing shows for Pacific Underground for a good 10 years now. The last show we created with our resident drummer Chris Searle was Drum 5. That's five drummers and their drum kits, in the front, with the band in the back. It's a fantastic and dynamic piece."

Tanya and two other musicians have also been selected as New Zealand delegates to participate at the 10th Pacific Arts Festival in Pago Pago, American Samoa in July, along with 17 other Pacific art practitioners and around 80 Maori.

"All of these experiences are totally relevant to what goes into putting on a really good day at Pasifika Festival," says Tanya.

Don't miss out

Pasifika Festival 2008 is set to be the best yet, and Tanya encourages people to come and experience it first hand.

"It's not just the entertainment, it's the aromas of the food from each village, the arts and crafts, and it's the Pasifika communities of Auckland and beyond turning it all on for that Pasifika experience. Our whole team is busy gearing up to make this a fantastic festival for people to enjoy and take away special memories from."