Bernard Kumar: The Samoan-Fijian Visionary Bringing Polynesian Talent to the Global Stage
Edenfest, Promiseland, Souled Out—massive line-ups, featuring some of the biggest international stars. But who’s behind these iconic festivals?
Pacific Island men, that’s who. It’s no surprise that such incredible events have emerged from our very own Polynesians, who are known for their talent and hard work.
In this case, the mastermind behind Festco AU is Bernard Kumar alongside the wider OG Festco team.
Emal Naim, the backbone of the company, Alex McDonell the Talent Agent that makes the big connections, and his Samoan Co-Founder who prefers to remain anonymous-but has been Bernard’s partner from day 1.
Hailing from Samoan, Fijian-Indian heritage, Bernard's rise from modest beginnings to a key player in the entertainment world is one for the books. Maybe even for Netflix one day.
From growing up in the islands, to running some of the most successful concerts in Australasia. He remembers his day’s as a young kid in Fiji.
“Growing up in Fiji was tough,”
“When I came back to New Zealand and then to Australia, I couldn’t even speak a word of English.”
When asked about his Journey into the Entertainment industry he said bluntly “I was fired”
“After years of dedicating my life to this Company, I got let go”
“I went back home and told myself and my kids that I'd never work for anybody again,”
Partnering with a close-knit team Bernard and his Samoan Co-Founder—who prefers to stay out of the spotlight—began organizing Concerts that eventually featured some of the biggest names in the industry.
From YG to Lauryn Hill, their efforts brought global superstars to stages right here at the bottom of the world.
But Bernard’s vision went beyond simply hosting big names; he aimed to create a platform for local Polynesian talent to shine on a global stage.
“We’ve always preferred to work quietly behind the scenes,”
“But we now understand that it’s important for our Polynesian people to see that there’s more ways to succeed other than sports” For Bernard, the success of his events is about empowering his community and proving that there are opportunities beyond the usual paths.
Though Bernard is more comfortable out of the limelight, he shares his story to inspire others. “There’s more out there for us,”
A key part of Bernard’s mission is promoting mental health and wellness in the community.
“I go through it too; I see a therapist regularly. It's okay to ask for help,”
His own experiences with mental health challenges have fueled his passion for raising awareness, particularly within Pacific communities, where such topics are often stigmatized.
This desire to break down barriers and encourage open conversations about mental health is what motivated him to step into the limelight for this interview, despite his usual preference for staying behind the scenes.
“Everyone I know has been through it in their lives…that’s why I wanted to raise more awareness on the issue”
Pacific Islanders face disproportionately higher rates of mental health issues compared to the general population, with studies showing they are three times more likely to experience psychological distress than non-Pacific people.
Bernard understands the importance of addressing these issues, especially in communities where family and cultural values are central to everyday life.
Those same values of family, respect, and humility, deeply rooted in Polynesian culture, also guide Bernard and his Co-Founder’s approach to their work in the entertainment industry.
“Polynesian people are caring and loving; we help each other out,”
“That’s what sets us apart.
"We connect with all our artists, not just the international ones.”
This cultural approach has not only shaped the way they interact with artists but has also allowed them to thrive in the cut-throat world of entertainment, creating massive opportunities for our very own local talent in the Pacific Community.
“Our goal is always to showcase local Polynesian artists alongside big names,” Bernard’s Co-Founder shares.
“By including our local artists in the same lineups, the audiences for those big names start asking, ‘Who’s that? Let me look them up.’ I saw this in Africa; they began requesting our Polynesian artists for their lineups, too.”
Over the past decade, Bernard and his Co-Founder have built a legacy not only for themselves but also for the Polynesian community.
“We didn’t want to be the face; we just wanted to create a platform,” he reflects. As their events continue to grow and gain recognition, Bernard's & Festco's influence becomes increasingly apparent.
“We could have easily given up,” the Co-Founder recounts. “Every hurdle felt like it might be the end, but we kept pushing.” Bernard adds, “We were breaking even and reinvesting everything we made. It was tough, but we were determined to make it work.”
And make it work they have - with 2024’s Promiseland a recent success & Eden Fest about to hit our shores, Bernard and FestCo have done what they set out to do.
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If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider.
If you need to talk to someone, the following free helplines operate 24/7:
NEW ZEALAND
DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757
LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 (NZ), 13 11 14 (AUSTRALIA) & 23000 (TONGA)
SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666
YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 or text 234
1737 NEED TO TALK? Call or text 1737
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By Tikilounge Productions & Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa