16 November 2000

Final details of the parade for national celebrity and boxer David Tua have been confirmed.

Organised by the Tuaman Supporters Campaign, with support from the Samoan Advisory Council, local iwi and the Manukau City Council, the parade will begin at 3pm on Monday 20 November. Starting from Moyle Park (Mangere) it will wind its way along Bader Drive and finish at the Mangere Town Centre. (Please note that this has been changed from the previously advised venue of David Lange Park to avoid any possible wet weather inconvenience.)

The parade will be made up of up to a dozen floats including the NZ Boxing Association, the Cook Island and Niuean communities, and the float carrying David surrounded by his Samoan supporters.

David will be welcomed at the town centre by local iwi and representatives of the Samoan Advisory Council. Edwin Puni, spokesperson for the Samoan Advisory Council says that the Samoan community is extremely proud of David’s achievements. “We will continue to support David in his bid to become heavyweight champion of the world, and are pleased we can show him and the rest of the country how much we support him.”

Included in the welcome ceremony at the town centre will be a traditional kava ceremony held to honour the Tuaman, and Jan Hellreigel will perform her recently released song The Fighting Spirit (Gloves of Tuaman). Entertainment will also be provided by cultural groups and musicians such as Dawn Raid and Drums of the Pacific, and by Urban Pasifika Records acts, including Lost Tribe.

A private civic reception will follow at the Town Centre where David will be welcomed and congratulated by Mayor Sir Barry Curtis. Sir Barry says “David Tua is a great role model for the young people of Manukau as he displays determination, self-discipline and humility. These are all characteristics which are of tremendous value in life. Many of us face set backs before we eventually reach our goal, and I have great faith that David will reach his ultimate goal in his chosen sport.”

Ends

Contact: John Stowers
Tuaman Supporters Campaign
025 536 822
or 09-525 8350 (wk), 09-828 2752 (A/H, phone/fax)

Sir Barry Curtis, Mayor Manukau City Council
Phone: 09-262 8972 or 025 947 529

© Scoop Media