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SOURCE: http://www.times.co.nz/cms/front_page_feature/2010/02/waitangi_day_celebrations.php
Waitangi Day celebrations
Tuesday, 09 February 2010
By JACKIE RUSSELL
MUSIC, flags and whanau came together for a grand celebration to commemorate the signing of the nation’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi.
Manukau’s festivities were staged at Barry Curtis Park for the first time on Saturday, and the community made the most of the family fun.
The event attracted the biggest crowd, of about 35,000 people, yet seen at the park in Flat Bush.
Of course it wouldn’t be Waitangi Day without a polished Maori cultural performance, and Te Tai Tonga, of Manurewa, opened the show by pumping up the crowd.
Kiwi Stan Walker, who won Australian Idol, was a huge drawcard, and a brief appearance for the soundcheck had the crowd rushing to the stage to catch a close-up glimpse of their star.
He reappeared a short time later and gave the excited and predominantly young female crowd what they wanted.
Samoan dances and music were energetically performed by Passion, who threw in a Bollywood number to mix it up.
In a special presentation Linda Munn, one of the designers of tino
rangatiratanga, gifted the flag to the people of New Zealand, with the same act being performed at various cele-brations held around the country at the same time.
The day continued in a relaxed family fashion, with people having picnics and playing soulful sounds in the background.
Food from cultural groups staved off the hunger pangs and kids burnt off excess energy on a free bouncy adventure playground.
Celia Afaese, from Manukau, has attended previous Waitangi Day events at Hayman Park but thinks the new venue attracted a bigger crowd.
“We’ve always come to these celebrations in the past,” says Ms Afaese.
“It’s always a good family day out for our four kids.” Related Links
Waitangi Day celebrations
Tuesday, 09 February 2010
By JACKIE RUSSELL
MUSIC, flags and whanau came together for a grand celebration to commemorate the signing of the nation’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi.
Manukau’s festivities were staged at Barry Curtis Park for the first time on Saturday, and the community made the most of the family fun.
The event attracted the biggest crowd, of about 35,000 people, yet seen at the park in Flat Bush.
Of course it wouldn’t be Waitangi Day without a polished Maori cultural performance, and Te Tai Tonga, of Manurewa, opened the show by pumping up the crowd.
Kiwi Stan Walker, who won Australian Idol, was a huge drawcard, and a brief appearance for the soundcheck had the crowd rushing to the stage to catch a close-up glimpse of their star.
He reappeared a short time later and gave the excited and predominantly young female crowd what they wanted.
Samoan dances and music were energetically performed by Passion, who threw in a Bollywood number to mix it up.
In a special presentation Linda Munn, one of the designers of tino
rangatiratanga, gifted the flag to the people of New Zealand, with the same act being performed at various cele-brations held around the country at the same time.
The day continued in a relaxed family fashion, with people having picnics and playing soulful sounds in the background.
Food from cultural groups staved off the hunger pangs and kids burnt off excess energy on a free bouncy adventure playground.
Celia Afaese, from Manukau, has attended previous Waitangi Day events at Hayman Park but thinks the new venue attracted a bigger crowd.
“We’ve always come to these celebrations in the past,” says Ms Afaese.
“It’s always a good family day out for our four kids.” Related Links
