Polyfest - the largest secondary school Māori and Pacific cultural festival - begins today in Auckland.
The St Peters College Samoan group were self-tutored last year and managed a third placing.
This year the group enlisted help from College old boys and their mothers and, although their sights are set on placing in the top three, it was not their main motivation.
Year 13 student Eddie Tongalahi does not speak Samoan but said the practices have allowed everyone to learn more about their culture.
