Wellington RegainsTakatāpui Awards

Wellington Regains Hui Takatāpui and National Takatāpui Awards

The Wellington Takatāpui community in partnership with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF) are proud to bring Hui Takatāpui and the National Takatāpui Awards to Wellington in 2010. Hui Takatāpui is the single biggest gathering for takatāpui from across the country and will be held at Pipitea Marae on 29-31 October 2010.

An annual event, Hui Takatāpui celebrates and strengthens the sexual and gender diversity of Māori, especially rangatahi. This year, Hui Takatāpui will focus on the health and well-being of Māori and aims to increase Māori support for HIV prevention as well as providing leadership and advice on issues for takatāpui. The hui also provides opportunities for takatāpui to network, have fun, play sport and be entertained in a safe and supportive social environment.

Incorporated into Hui Takatāpui are the National Takatāpui Awards, a black tie event to recognise outstanding achievement in the takatāpui community held on the final night of the hui. Building on the success of the event in 2009, this year’s awards will be presented at Te Marae at Te Papa. The National Takatāpui Awards recognise achievement in areas including sport, fashion and design, dance, and kapahaka. A Lifetime Achievement Award is presented at the event for overall community service in front of an audience of hundreds of hui attendees, media, invited guests, and general public.

Past recipients of National Takatāpui Awards include Tamati Coffey, Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, Mahinarangi Tocker, Louisa Wall, and Miss Ribena. This year, the evening will begin with red carpet interviews by Miss Jaye Glam, followed by award-winning meals, cocktails, champagne and live entertainment including Lisa Tomlins, kapahaka and Pacific dance performances.

Registrations for the Hui Takatāpui open on 1 July 2010, and combined packages are available for both Hui Takatāpui and the National Takatāpui Awards. Information packs and other details are available at www.nzaforg.nz/huitakatapui.

ENDS

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