Cherished memories: A brother's tribute at ASB Polyfest

It was a simple request, a bereaved brother wanting footage of his late sister performing at ASB Polyfest almost 20 years ago; the University of Auckland’s Pacific community stepped up to help.

University of Auckland doctoral student David Tu’ipulotu began exploring the relationship between the church, the Pacific, and the LGBTQI+ community. He had observed queer communities integrating faith into their daily lives, despite condemnation from some in the church community. But his own health issues and the passing of his sister Carla Tu’ipulotu two years ago sent him on a different journey.

After losing his 34-year-old sister to cancer, Tu’ipulotu felt compelled to piece together images and footage of his family. One of three siblings, Tu’ipulotu says it was important to have a record of Carla, especially for his mother Bridgette Talei Tu’ipulotu, who had single-handedly raised him and his sisters while also studying to become a teacher.

“I wanted to collate this footage so that we could see my sister while she was still alive. We needed to preserve our family history for our future generations to see our family’s contributions,” says Tu’ipulotu.

He began searching online and through various platforms, particularly interested in securing footage that had long been lost—Carla’s performance with Marist College at the ASB Polyfest in 2007.

When his own search hit roadblocks, he turned to his friend Fay Nanai, Pacific Engagement Lead of Te Tumu Herenga, Libraries and Learning Services, for help.

“David got in touch with me and I knew this was important for him and his family. Polyfest was already on our focus, especially with the 50th anniversary, a number of people came to mind I hoped would help,” says Nanai, who was also a fellow schoolmate of Carla Tu’ipulotu.

Tapping into her vast networks within the University, Nanai reached out to archivist Huni Mancini. As luck would have it, Mancini was already in the process of digitising archival footage from ASB Polyfest for its 50th anniversary.

“I’ve noticed we’re getting a lot more requests from within the University for archival footage,” says Mancini. “I guess people haven’t been aware of the resources that we have and the archives held here.”

Tu’ipulotu couldn’t believe it when he opened his email with the video of his sister filling the screen as she danced on stage, and immediately shared it with his mother Bridgette.

“When Fay sent it to me, I sent it on to my mum. We just cried watching it over and over, from start to end. I’m so grateful.”

Tu’ipulotu has vivid memories of that day in 2007, waking up at 5am, leaving early with his sister Carla from Mt Roskill to make it out to the venue by 8:30am, and watching thousands of other performers with their schools and families file into the Manukau Sports Bowl.

That year Marist College’s Tongan group performed the Tau'olunga dance and also the Hiko—an ancient Tongan dance of juggling fruit from the Tuitui or Candlenut tree, or moli (orange) while reciting a chant. Most schools, including Marist College, used limes as a substitute given their similarity to oranges back home in Tonga.

Tu’ipulotu had stood in the crowd with thousands of others, beaming with pride as he and his family watched Carla perform with her schoolmates. It was especially sentimental as she also shared the stage with other family members including their first cousin, Rebekah Williams.

“I said let’s look at Polyfest for that scene of my sister performing. It was tough watching that video, but I’m so grateful.”