Close to 100 artists and performers representing New Zealand at the 12th Pacific Arts festival leave today for Townsville Australia en route to Guam where the festival will be held.
Delegations from 27 Pacific Island Nations and Territories come together at the event to share and exchange their cultures at the Festival, created to help combat the erosion of traditional customary practices.
2,500 performers, artists and cultural practitioners are expected to participate at the festival which is held every four years.
Established in 1972, the event is recognized as a major cultural event.
James Webster, who will perform at the festival with his wife Hinemoa, reviving the art form of Karetao says he's looking forward to the trip.
2015 Matatini winners Te Whānau a Apanui is the cultural haka group representing New Zealand at the festival which begins on the 22nd of May.
Te Kaea reporter Mere Mclean is travelling with the New Zealand contingent and will bring you stories from the event for the duration of the festival.