Programmes & EVENTS
KAUPAPA
2026 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
We are excited to celebrate another incredible year of creativity, culture and community with you all! Check out our full programme of events below, download it
here, and make sure to add all the dates to your calendar- you won't want to miss a thing. For any pātai or more information, contact us below or
email kiaora@miharo.org
Murihiku Polyfest
The biggest annual event at Mīharo, Murihiku Polyfest, is a week long festival for cultural performing arts. With over 8500 performers and tens of thousands of spectators, both online and in person, this is one of the regions biggest spectacles.
Murihiku Polyfest is open to groups from early childhood through to secondary schools. Groups work on their brackets year long, before taking to the stage in August each year. Due to the success of our combined online event in 2021, Polyfest is now delivered both in person and live streamed on our website.
The full programme for Murihiku Polyfest will be available soon on our website and Facebook page.
CENTRAL LAKES
POLYFEST
Central Lakes Polyfest is a two-day, non-competitive cultural performing arts event held at the Queenstown Events Centre. Over 1,000 participants from around Central Otago, from early childhood through to secondary students, take the stage to perform.
Groups work on their brackets throughout the year and the event is held in October. For any questions, please email 'fogafu@miharo.org'
RANGATAHI TOA
One of the biggest cultural nights in Murihiku, Rangatahi Toa is held during Murihiku Polyfest week on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
This is a special showcase event for our high school groups to perform and showcase the amazing talents and pieces they've been working on throughout the year.
Rangatahi Toa is held at the ILT Stadium Southland, and entry to this event is Gold Coin for spectators.
WHAKAMANAHIA TE RANGATAHI
Whakamanahia Te Rangatahi is a year long Youth Mentoring programme designed to support, mentor and guide local youth to strengthen their understanding of culture, leadership and identity. Spaces for this programme are limited. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact anjelina@miharo.org to register, or visit the tab above for more information.
ART EXHIBITION & AWARDS
We invite all tamariki and rangatahi from Murihiku and Central Lakes to design artworks based on a theme. These art pieces are then judged and displayed in an exhibition.
There is a prizegiving and official exhibition opening night, with each exhibition running for around 4-6 weeks each year.
The theme for 2026 is Legends Of Our Lands- Our people, Our places, Our stories. We have resources and an example unit available here.
Entry forms are available.
LEGENDS OF OUR LANDS EXHIBITION & AWARDS NIGHT
Each year we host an art awards and exhibition for Early Childhood, Primary, and Secondary students, as well as our open 18-25 year old category. This kaupapa is a chance to celebrate identity, creativity, and stories through art, following the theme of "Legends of Our Lands- Our people, Our places, Our Stories''.
Winning entries are on display now at Mīharo (28 Don Street, Invercargill). You can view our gallery hours here.
We also have other entries on display at the Invercargill Public Library, which is open Monday- Friday, 9am-6pm, and weekends 10am-4pm.
This must see exhibition closes in September, so come and take a look while you can!
Mīharo Art exhibition
CENTRAL LAKES
Following our Murihiku Art Exhibition, we are extremely excited to be working on the annual Central Lakes Art Exhibition and Awards.
This exhibition, also themed "Legends of Our Lands: Our People, Our Places, Our Stories," opens to the public on Thursday 24 September.
Entries are due to Te Atamira Gallery, Frankton, by 5pm Friday 18 September. Entries are welcome from tamariki in ECE, Primary, and Secondary Schools, as well as the open 18-25 year old category.
All entries must be submitted with a completed entry form, which is available below, as well as a photo of your assembled piece (in its correct orientation), and any kōrero/stories behind the piece.
2026 T-Shirt Design Competition
Our annual t-shirt design competition, Tōhu Tautua (symbol of service) is open now!
This years theme is 'Legends of Our Lands- Our People, Our Places, Our Stories.'
Download a template for Central Lakes and take the chance to have your design printed onto our 2026 Polyfest t-shirts, worn by hundreds of volunteers!
Entries for Central Lakes are due Monday 7th September. The winners of each competition will be announced at our respective Art Awards night.