Greater Grey Lynn Gears up to Support Samoa at RWC 2011
Grey Lynn Business Association and the Grey Lynn area are supporting Manu Samoa as their official ‘second team’ during
the RWC 2011 and have big plans to celebrate.
Four events are planned to cheer on Manu Samoa and celebrate Samoan culture and roots in the greater Grey Lynn area.
These include a Heritage Walk, two Street Parties and a Community Festival.
The Heritage Walk, also called Savalivali mo Grey Lynn, will explore the varied history of Grey Lynn. Led by local
historian Sofi Ulugia-Pua, with heritage and spiritual advice provided by the Rev Mua Strickson- Pua, the walk will
begin at St Joseph Catholic School Grey Lynn and end at the Grey Lynn RSC.
Walkers will be treated to historical anecdotes, art, poetry and music along the way. The theme is Samoa’s colours: red,
white and blue, and ex-Manu Samoa players Darren Kellet, Shem Tatupu, Tony Tatupu, plus the current Miss Samoa NZ, are
expected to be amongst the attendees. Those who do not wish to join the walk itself are welcome to attend the
celebratory feast upstairs at the Grey Lynn RSC once the walk finishes.
GLBA RWC 2011 Subcommittee Chairperson, Sunshine Yates says: “This will be the inaugural Heritage Walk for the area and
promises to be a celebration of Grey Lynn’s history as a place that art and culture spring from. If you are part of Grey
Lynn or are just interested in the Grey Lynn area, this walk will make you see it in a whole new way.”
The Street Parties will take place at the Grey Lynn Shops and the West Lynn Shops respectively. They are early evening,
family-friendly events that will showcase local heritage and culture of the area, including a strong Samoan flavour.
The Grey Lynn Street Party is the first of the two. It promises to be a vibrant evening of food from local cafes and
Pacific Island food stalls, and sounds from local Samoan choirs, jazz from Opologe Ah Sam, and the music of the
Ukuladies. The West Lynn Street Party will be a similar affair, with more details to be released shortly.
Grey Lynn Business Association Grey Lynn Community Ctr, 510 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021 info@glba.co.nz
www.glba.co.nz Paul Dalton, Chairman of the GLBA says: “The street parties are a great opportunity for local businesses
and community to come together and celebrate. It will also help to raise the profile of these shopping areas to visitors
from other suburbs and fulfills the remit of the GLBA, that is to provide a prosperous, vital and sustainable place to
live, work and run a business.”
“The celebrations will culminate in a Community Festival, that will truly celebrate the local talent from schools and
churches to more well-known names. We’ll be releasing more details soon, so watch this space.”
Full event schedule: Grey Lynn Street Party Date: Thursday 22 September 2011 Time: 04:30 PM - 08:00 PM Grey Lynn Heritage Walk / Savalivali mo Samoa Date: Saturday 24 September 2011 Time: 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM West Lynn Street Party Date: Thursday 29 September 2011 Time: 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Grey Lynn Community Festival Date: Saturday 1 October 2011 Time: 12:00 PM - 06:00 PM In keeping with Samoan cultural values all the events will begin
with a prayer.
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