Pacific Dance Festival 2026: South Auckland’s Māngere is set to light up tonight with the opening of the Pacific Dance Festival, a 2.5-week celebration of Pasifika movement, story and identity, with venues across Tāmaki Makaurau and a Matariki programme in Kerikeri; this year’s line-up is the festival’s most diverse yet, featuring artists from Papua New Guinea, Wallis and Futuna, Rotuma and Niuean performers, including the opening work “Call to Wallis.” Niue in the spotlight (music): Niuean icon Che Fu (Che Ness) took home the Lifetime Achievement award at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards, and opened his performance with a takalo, saying being Niuean is something he carries from his grandmother and hopes his community feels proud of. Honours & service (Pasifika recognition): New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours 2026 included major Pasifika achievements, with 12 Pasifika people recognised nationwide; among them, discus Olympian Beatrice Faumuinā was named a Companion for sport and governance, and police inspector Neru Leifi was honoured for decades of service, including mentoring police in Niue. Travel & culture (Wallis and Futuna): The Wallis and Futuna Pocket Guide launched online in collaboration with Wallis and Futuna Tourisme, offering practical travel advice and cultural insights for independent travellers.