The growing popularity of the Otago Maori and Pacific Island Festival in Dunedin has prompted organisers to expand the two-day event next year.
Organising committee chairman Whetu Cormick said the event had become one of the biggest festivals in Otago, and he expected it to attract more than 8000 spectators this year.
The festival was held at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin yesterday and will continue today.
More than 2700 preschoolers, primary, intermediate and secondary pupils, from 75 groups around the region, took part in the event which displays the music and dance of Maori and Pacific Islanders.
Mr Cormick said there had been increases in the number of early childhood centres and secondary schools taking part, and the festival was now becoming so big, the organising committee had decided to run it over a three-day period.
It would allow participants and organisers to stop for lunch and tea breaks, he said.
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