Iwi Sparks Tobacco Free Waitangi Day Celebration

Friday, 28 January 2011, 2:11 pm
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi is inviting everyone to join them for a safe, fun and family focussed celebration for New Zealand’s National Day on 6th February.

Waitangi Day celebrations in Hawke’s Bay will become the first tobacco free event in New Zealand and the iwi has made the decision that all their future events will be tobacco free.

“We want our parents and grandparents to live much longer lives” said Ngahiwi Tomoana Chairman of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi, “So they can nurture and nourish future generations for the well-being of our nation. It’s a sensitive issue with our people but we want to highlight the positives of not smoking”

Event staff in the car parks will warmly invite people to leave tobacco products in their vehicles and will hand out flyers with the day’s programme and the tobacco free message.

700m of temporary fencing will be erected around the parks and gate security will gently enforce this stance as a condition of entry to the family friendly event. Other conditions of entry include; no drugs, alcohol, gang patches, dogs or glass.

The two day celebration starts at 3pm on Saturday 5th February at Farndon Park, Clive with waka races on the water, free kiddies rides, a food and craft fair and a twilight concert on the riverbank featuring a host of local talent including a 9-piece reggae band Pur3 Vibra3shonz.

Just on dark a flotilla of waka lanterns will be launched into the waters as a poignant and moving ceremony to remember loved ones. The public are invited to float their waka lanterns on the water. On Sunday 6th February at 9am a breakfast feast and water pageant at Farndon Park, Clive will start the day of celebrations. Later that morning the focus will turn to a host of free activities at the new $50 million dollar Hawke’s Bay Sports Park, Percival Road Hastings.

Bikers from around the region will converge on the park at 10am to join early-bird Waitangi Day crowds to show their support for the region’s bid for a government funded National Cycling Centre of Excellence at the intended site. Participants will be invited to join an official campaign photo and draw to win one of four bikes at the rally.

Ngāti Kahungunu’s Waitangi Day celebration will spring into action at 10.30am at the Hawke’s Bay Sports Park stadium with a Parade, touch tournament, all-age relay races and a demonstration of Ki Orahi, a Māori game that has been revived in recent times.

Free kiddies rides, workshops, karaoke stage, and food and craft stalls will provide a colourful backdrop to the day that’s devoted to family, community and nationhood.

Lots of prizes can be won every 15 minutes as trivia questions on New Zealand history will appear on a large outdoor screen to complement the day’s live action. At 1.30pm a live concert in front of the HB Sport Park’s world class covered 2500 seat grandstand will feature a wide range of Māori and multicultural performers, singers, dancers and musicians. These will include Kahurangi NZ Māori Dance Theatre and Taikura Kaumātua Kapa Haka.

Other artists include Charlie Culshaw and Moko Magic, an 8 piece saxophone ensemble of Charlie’s grandchildren aged 11 to 18 years. This musical Raupunga family have featured several times with the touring Lindsay Whanau Show. At 3pm Wellington band Soul Cake will take the stage with an hour long, full on, high energy family show with a mix of Motown, Michael Jackson and Prince Tui Teka. Their lead singer Toni Baird originally from Wairoa was a finalist in NZ Idol and Māorioke.

There’s free and easily accessible off street parking at both venues. Picnics and folding chairs welcome. On site toilets. Variety of ethnic and Kiwi food and beverages available.

Funding for the events has come from Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi $30,000, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga $15,000, Te Puni Kokiri $10,000, Roopu a Iwi $3,000, Ministry of Heritage and Culture $3,000 and Sport Hawke’s Bay $2,000. This is the only major Waitangi Day celebration in New Zealand managed and funded by an iwi without regional government monies.

Main Points
Pre Waitangi Day Celebrations
Waka races, entertainment, kiddies rides, craft & food fair, waka lanterns ceremony Free entry 3pm to 9pm Saturday 5th February, Farndon Park, Clive

Māori Millenium Waitangi Day Celebrations
Breakfast, water pageant, waka rides Free entry 8am to 1pm Sunday 6th February, Farndon Park, Clive

Ngāti Kahungunu Waitangi Day Celebrations
Black White, Let’s Bike Rally & Photo, Parade, Touch Tournament, Community Relay Races, Concert, Karaoke, Food & Craft Fair

Free entry. 10am to 4pm Sunday 6 February, Hawke’s Bay Sports Park, Percival Rd, Hastings (Off Hawke’s Bay Expressway)

ENDS

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