The fifth annual Manurewa Festival will be held from 12-15 September. The 2001 festival brings together a number of exciting activities and includes a wonderful Polyfest being held at Matukutureia Marae.

Staff from a number of Manurewa community organisations have organised the festival, including the Manurewa People’s Centre, Te Whare Awhina, Toi o Manukau, Manukau City Council and the Manurewa Maori Wardens Sub Association.

Local businesses, the Manurewa Mad Butcher and Clendon Town Centre have also got behind the event. Funding has been received from Manukau City Council.

Manurewa Community Advisor, John Durham, says “The Co-ordinating Team wanted to involve as many people as possible in community activities. And we’ve organised a wonderful range of events over the four days.”

The festival begins with two full nights of cultural performances at the Marae on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th September. Last year saw the inaugural Cultural Expo, which attracted over 1,500 local people to the marae.

John says, “This year’s Polyfest continues to celebrate the City’s cultural diversity, and in particular that of Manurewa. Its main focus is to support the six Tamaki Makaurau Primary Schools who are competing in the National Kapa Haka competition next month in Hamilton.”

Four of the six schools representing the Auckland region are from Manukau: Te Huringa Rumaki Reo from Finlayson Park, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori from Manurewa, Sir Douglas Bader Intermediate from Mangere, and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori from Mangere. The other two schoosl are Kowhai Intermediate from Kingsland, and Hoani Waititi from Henderson.

Toi o Manukau has organised a youth event on Friday night (14th) at Clendon Community Centre for the youth to listen and dance to HIP HOP, and check out the fantastic moves of the local Quik n Easy Breakdancers group.

Saturday sees a Street Art competition held at Clendon Community Centre, where George Hawkins, the MP for Manurewa, will be awarding the prizes.

This will be followed by a concert and carnival at the Clendon Community Centre, from 9am, where there will be a basketball slam dunk competition, kiddies rides, a food court and much more.

From lunchtime live bands “Mahana" and "Race Relations" start the show. “We’re so pleased to have the support of these bands – they’re donating their time and talents to this community event at no charge,” says John.

A talent quest to find the next up and coming musical band will be held during the afternoon. Last year’s winners, the Wilson Boys are already on the rise. This year there will be another opportunity for someone else.

The James Cook Drama Groups and James Cook Kapahaka Group will also perform.

Mayor of Manukau, Sir Barry Curtis, who will open the event, says, “The Festival is a great way to bring the people of Manurewa together. The Manurewa ward is home to 60,000 people and is one of the fastest growing wards in Manukau City, second only to Howick.

“The festival is a wonderful opportunity for local talent to be promoted and enjoyed by the community. I am sure it will provide excellent family entertainment over the four days, and I wish everyone all the best for a thoroughly enjoyable and successful event.”

Contact Co-ordinators are:
PolyFest-John Durham, phone 266 5195
Concert/Hip hop night- Chantelle Whaiapu, phone 2628900, ext 8941
Kids Activities-Jaylene Ball, phone 267 2860
Art Expo- Craig Hansen, phone

ENDS

PROGRAMME FOR POLYFEST EVENT – 12 & 13 SEPTEMBER

Wednesday 12 September
4:00 Powhiri,then Official opening by Sir Barry Curtis, Supported by Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Manurewa (Kai/inu stalls)
4:30 Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Manurewa
4:50 Roscommon, Maori Club
5:10 St Annes, Maori Group
5:30 St Annes, Samoan Group
5:50 St Annes, Tongan Group
6:10 Finlayson, O Le Taiala
6:30 Finlayson, Roopu Reo Rua
6:50 Finlayson, Te Huringa: Roopu Whakataetae
7:10 Te Whanau Tuhonotia A.E. Program
7:30 Finish

Thursday 13 September
4:00
4:20 Finlayson, Te Huringa Tahi and Rua
4:40 Finlayson, Te Huringa Toru and Wha
5:00 Takanini Primary, Maori Group
5:20 Manurewa South, Te Hihi O Te Ra
5:40 Clendon Park, Maori Group
6:00 Clendon Park, Cook Island Group
6:20 Greenmeadows, Te Whanau O Tamapahore
6:45 Finish

Saturday 15 September
pm James Cook, Te Kapunga (at Clendon Community Centre)

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