The Polynesian Experience
This initiative, The Polynesian Experience – PolyX was born out of a need to find a sustainable way to fund a service called the Pacific Settlement Support Services and the concept was manifested out of a conversation between 3 individuals at The Pacific Business Hub in July 2019.
Mandy Momoisea (Pacific Settlement Support Services – PSSS), Zeprina Fale (PSSS) and John Loau (Samoa Business Network Chairman) wasted no time in putting into action what they visualised. This was made all more pertinent when they realised that PolyX is the perfect medium that could potentially provide sustainable funding for the Pacific Settlement Support Services, given the difficulty in securing any funding for what is clearly a need within the Pacific Community.
Auckland is host to the largest Polynesian population in the world. And with it, is the rich and diverse Pacific culture of Pacific peoples which in 10 years will make up 18% of its population. A feasibility study commissioned by MPP in a 2016 report presents the findings of a study to determine the viability of establishing a Pacific cultural experience and entertainment centre in Auckland. It concluded that a Pacific cultural experience provided at a leased facility (as opposed to building a facility) is economically sound and financially lucrative given NZ’s growing international tourism. In addition, there are currently very few tourism attractions in Auckland, and none that features Pacific culture. This is the opportunity that the company intends to develop and grow.
Poly X Ltd was registered as a limited liability company on the 21st October 2019, and it was launched at the Sky City on 24th November in the same year.
Organisational vision: To be an iconic cultural experience that celebrates & showcases Polynesia to the world.
Organisational mission: To provide a unique and authentic Polynesian cultural experience in NZ through cultural performances, cuisine, and experiential tours.
The PolyX product offering is as follows:
Quality Polynesian cultural experience through the display of dance by over six(6) Pacific cultural groups in NZ.
Experience the taste of traditional Pacific food with a contemporary twist
Cultural Experiential tour – The showcase of our culture and traditions such as Ava ceremony to welcome guests, traditional tattooing, weaving and food preparation.
For the first Polynesian Experience in February 2020, we attended numerous meetings to finalise tours and venues and had 6 Polynesian ethnic groups (of over 100 performers) perform. Then covid lockdown occurred.
The closure of international borders due to covid prompted the company to pivot its Cultural Experiential Tours to a night market format for locals. Staying on brand, by adding entertainment and exhibitions to a night market format which are primarily for Pacific vendors. Nothing like it exists in Auckland or NZ! The regularity and multiple locations on offer for vendors signal an economic opportunity for Pacific businesses and showcase the beauty of the Pacific cultures for all to enjoy. With international borders closed, the markets are aptly themed – “We are bringing the Islands to you” as a call out to the domestic market to get a taste of Polynesia right here in Auckland!
In September 2020, we were proud to receive the Bronze Sustainable tourism Business Award. To achieve a Bronze Award a tourism business must meet all Qualmark’s minimum standards across 40 key components contained in the Sustainable Tourism criteria. It identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, an awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a customer-centric approach
The doors that have been opened and the countless people who have stepped in to support this cause are nothing short of a miracle, in what we could only describe as us walking in faith and under the presence of God.
This continues to give us strength, confidence and faith that when Polynesian communities work together, they can do so much more to help elevate the social outcomes of Polynesians in New Zealand.
If you’re interested in attending our Night markets or becoming a vendor to sell your products - click below to get more details. We’d love to hear from you.
