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The Pasifika Festival's opening concert had been cancelled and the event line-up was pared down because of a budget shortfall of $355,000.
Next month's festival was bailed out by the Auckland City Council, but was cut to just two days to save costs.
Bruce McCarthy, the chair of Auckland's Pacific Island Board, a body that is independent of the council, says indigenous protocol calls for an opening ceremony.
The Pasifika opening ceremony is to take place on Friday, 13 March, with the main day event on 14 March at Western Springs Park.
As well as traditional and contemporary entertainment, workshops, demonstrations, stalls and food, the festival will feature a new Sevens rugby tournament as well as demonstration games of soccer and rugby league.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand
Posted February 18th, 2009 by Armen Hareyan
