Pasifika returning south?

Next month's Auckland Pasifika Festival could benefit from returning to its roots in the city's south.

The fruit fly outbreak has forced the annual event to relocate from Western Springs Park to Manukau's Hayman Park. But ATEED chief executive Brett O'Riley says the new location could make the event even more successful.

"It's now in it's 23rd year, and it's our biggest celebration of Pacific culture, and it's been held in the south in the past."

MPI will help cover the cost of moving one of Auckland's most iconic events away from the fruit fly zone.

Next month's Pasifika Festival is relocating to Manukau's Hayman Park.

ATEED chief executive Brett O'Riley says with the rules at its regular Western Springs site would have hindered the festival.

"Those restrictions would have made it very difficult or even impossible to capture the magic of the Pasifika Festival."

He says many food stalls would not have been able to operate.