Style Pasifika, the biggest annual Pacific event in the world, is happening again in Auckland on Friday September 7, supported by the New Zealand AIDS Foundation's Pacific Peoples Project. The Pacific Peoples Project has sponsored one of the ten award categories in the fashion show, Pasifika Hero, as part of its community work in raising HIV/AIDS awareness among Pacific communities of gay and bisexual men. “When it comes to New Zealand-based HIV infections, men who have sex with men made up 80% of the diagnoses in 2006,” says Phylesha Brown-Acton, spokesperson for the Pacific Peoples Project. “Shame and guilt around homosexuality can affect people's choices around using condoms, which when used prevent HIV being transmitted. The Pasifika Hero award provides recognition both of the community most at risk of HIV, while making a statement that being gay or fa'afafine is something to be celebrated as a part of who we are.” The Style Pasifika event will be staged this year in Auckland's new Vector Arena, in recognition of the event's growing popularity in recent years. It showcases the best in Pasifika-inspired music, fashion, dance and culture. “As gay men and fa'afafine, we are definitely part of that vibrant culture, which you can expect to see as part of the Pasifika Hero show,” Brown-Acton says. The show takes place on Friday September 7. Tickets start from $29.90, and can be booked through Ticketmaster. If you mention PPP (Pacific Peoples Project) when purchasing, then you will receive a $5 discount. Ref: NZAF (Press Release)