Ara colleagues, lifelong friends, coach with one heart at Polyfest

_{Greg Galovale and Etelani Pouli, childhood friends, work colleagues and Polyfest performance coaches}

As the beat of the drums carries across North Hagley Park this weekend, two Ara Institute of Canterbury colleagues will be right at the heart of the SPACPAC Canterbury Polyfest, coaching with rhythm, pride and a lifetime of shared experience.

Greg Galovale and Etelani Pouli are lifelong friends who grew up together in Christchurch. This year, they’ve coached Pacific performance groups from Christchurch Girls’ and Christchurch Boys’ High Schools so they’re ready to perform at the region’s largest celebration of Pacific culture.

For the first time, Polyfest will span two days, with performances beginning on Friday evening and continuing through to Saturday night, drawing thousands of aiga (family), friends and supporters.

_{Etelani Pouli, second from left, playing guitar}

For Galovale and Pouli, Polyfest is more than a performance. It is a continuation of the culture and community that shaped them.

Growing up near each other and connected through the same EFKS (Congregational Christian Church of Samoa), the pair were immersed early in Pacific song, dance and storytelling.

“There’s no competition here,” said Galovale. “It’s about connection, culture and lifting each other up.”

Now both working at Ara, Galovale as Pacific Mental Health and Wellbeing Facilitator and Pouli as Student Advisor, they bring that same sense of unity to their coaching. While they guide different school groups, their focus is shared.

“We support each other,” Galovale said. “When the groups come together, we energise each other to be the best we can be.”

After months of rehearsals, the students’ talent and dedication were on full display this week at a final fiafia performance for aiga (family), with soulful singing, precision movement, energy and pride filling the Boys’ High auditorium.

_{Boys' High students at the final fiafia performance}

Pouli, a Christchurch Boys’ High old boy, said participation in Pacific performance has grown strongly in recent years at the brother and sister schools, with well over 120 students involved across the schools in 2026.

“Building a strong foundation and rapport with students is key,” he said. “We draw on the Samoan performing arts we grew up with, but we also encourage students to make the performance their own.”

“We watched and learned from our parents and church members, and that shaped what performance meant to us,” Pouli said. “From there, we explored Siva Samoa (Samoan dance) beyond Christchurch, including Auckland, where there’s a larger Pacific community. Over time, we’ve taken those ideas and adapted them.”

While their creative vision aligns closely, Galovale admitted their styles differ.

“We like the same things creatively,” he laughed. “But in delivery, Lani’s the calm one. I’m the one who panics.”

_{Greg Galovale, third from left, drumming}

Beyond Polyfest, both see their involvement as part of something bigger than the stage.

“Our involvement is about relationships,” Galovale said. “We see ourselves as a bridge into education opportunities at Ara. We’re now seeing familiar faces come through the schools and into our tertiary space. When you have that relationship, that connection, you can sow the seeds to expand study horizons.”

Pouli agreed. “Our team goes above and beyond to see the potential in Pacific learners and connect them with opportunities. It’s special seeing students we’ve coached now studying at Ara.”

From growing up together, to celebrating culture together and now helping shape future success for the community that shaped them, Greg Galovale and Etelani Pouli continue to coach with one heart.