By Ricky Fernandez
Photos supplied.
First introduced in 2003, this Southeast Asia Festival has grown into a vibrant celebration showcasing the rich and diverse cultures that shape New Zealand’s multicultural mosaic.
This year’s Southeast Asia Festival featured a taste and feel of the Philippines, alongside the other Southeast Asian nations – like Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia – again tempting food lovers with rare heritage dishes from across the region — and for Filipino cuisine enthusiasts, there was a mouth-watering lineup on offer. From delicious chicken inasal and kare kare to crowd favourites like halo halo, visitors had a chance to savour the flavours of the Philippines while watching traditional cooking techniques up close — and capturing endless ‘Instagrammable’ moments.
However, this festival was more than just a food paradise. Festival goers enjoyed dazzling cultural dance performances — including a special showcase by the Cordillerean dance group featuring traditional dances from the mountain region. Their energetic, show-stopping performance lit up the main stage, bringing the vibrant spirit of the Philippines to life for Kiwi audiences.
The free event was held on 30th August 2025, from 10am to 5pm, at Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton.
The next Southeast Asia Festival will be happening in Wellington at the TSB Arena on 6 December 2025.
Proudly presented by SM Publications, with Include NZ as the official marketing partner, the festival is powered by Migrant News (New Zealand’s only multicultural newspaper, founded 3 decades ago), Travel Galore (www.travelgalore.nz), the Asian Food Portal (www.halohalo.nz), and Filipino News (www.filipinonews.nz), with strong support from community groups, businesses, and government organisations.
Website: https://seasia.co.nz/
Socials: Instagram: seafest_nz Facebook: Southeast Asia Festival NZ
s.
