Media release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, 25 January 2013

Orongomai Marae Open Day celebrates Waitangi

Once again, Upper Hutt’s Orongomai Marae will be open to the public for Waitangi celebrations on 6 February.

UPPER HUTT, Wellington NZ, 25 JAN 2013—Upper Hutt’s Orongomai Marae invites the community to celebrate Waitangi at its Open Day on Wednesday 6 February. The community will be invited onto the marae with a stunning traditional welcoming ceremony, followed by all day entertainment and activities. This free event begins at 9.00 am and concludes around 2.00 pm, and provides a great outing for all ages.

There will be a traditional powhiri welcoming ceremony at 9.00 am. The powhiri begins with the karanga, the keening voices of women calling to each other from both the visiting group and the hosts. It is followed by a wero (challenge) performed by a warrior. This is followed by a chant and dance of welcome and exchange of greetings—an experience not to be missed.

Another highlight of the event is the traditional hangi meal that is buried and cooked on the marae grounds. Tickets for a hangi meal can be pre-purchased from the Marae office during normal working hours or on the day.

This year’s event has two similar themes “E Tu Ōrongomai” (Marae standing up to violence) and “Kia tau te rangimarie ki runga i Ōrongomai” (To be peaceful on Ōrongomai). Linda Pahi, Manager of the Marae, says, “This is really about us as a marae and a community organisation—that we are standing up against whanau violence.”

Upper Hutt Mayor, Wayne Guppy is looking forward to the event. “Waitangi Day is an important day for us all as a nation. I’d like to encourage everyone to come along to Orongomai Marae to celebrate the Treaty and our national day. As an ambassador for the It’s not OK and White Ribbon campaigns, I am particularly proud to support the marae as we all work together to eliminate family violence.”

Orongomai Marae is located at 1 Railway Ave, Upper Hutt (next to Maidstone Max). The Open Day celebration is on Waitangi Day, 6 February 2012, from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm.

Upper Hutt Settlement Support is taking names of migrants who would like to attend the event as a group. Please contact Cecilia Titulaer on (04) 527 2132 or email settlement@uhcc.govt.nz if you would like to meet up with other migrants at the event. The group will meet outside the Central Library between 8.00 and 8.30 am before proceeding to the Marae for the official welcome.

About Upper Hutt City Council

Upper Hutt City Council is the steward and custodian of Upper Hutt City, providing governance, infrastructure, and community services and resources, and promoting opportunity in the city for business, recreation, lifestyle, and leisure. Upper Hutt City is located 30 km north-east of Wellington City (41°07'34" S, 175°04'06" E) and boasts 70% of the region’s parks and reserves, along with state-of-the-art entertainment and leisure facilities.

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For more information on Upper Hutt City and the City Council, go to www.upperhuttcity.com

For more information about the Orongomai Marae Open Day or to book a hangi meal www.wowupperhutt.com

ENDS

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