'[The event's main goal is] promoting the culture and making people in Tauranga know we are part of this community,” says Polish Community Trust BOP Inc acting president Ewa Fenn.

'We are probably more than 100 Poles living in the area at the moment, and we are celebrating just 150 years in New Zealand, but our presence in New Zealand can be tracked to the trip of Captain James Cook.”

While already hosting events in the city,and participating in multicultural offerings already, Ewa says the Polish Community Trust BOP Inc has much more to share with New Zealand.

'We also have our preschool running, which has students from all suburbs of Tauranga and even from Rotorua, and that one is a good opportunity to share our history and culture with our little ones.”

Ewa says the Polish event held in the Historic Village in 2022 was a great success. 'This year, we are expecting more people who come to enjoy our culture and that is why we are shifting our venue to the Waikato University at the Manawaroa room Level 1, to offer all our visitors a great environment and more space to feel Poland here at Tauranga.”

The Polish festival is next Saturday, November 4, from 2pm-5pm at University of Waikato building, Durham St. Tickets cost $10 per adult, and under-12s gain free entry. Purchase tickets at: www.eventbrite.co.nz