NEWS RELEASE

17 January 2014

So much to do this Anniversary Weekend

The biggest challenge Wellingtonians will have this weekend is deciding how many great events they can pack into their timetable.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says the City Council’s Summer City events programme is in full swing – and there’ll be all sorts of enjoyable family-friendly events over the whole of this Wellington Anniversary Weekend.

Gardens Magic continues at the Botanic Garden Soundshell tonight, Saturday and Sunday. All acts start at 8pm and finish at9.30pm.

Our advice is bring along a picnic and get there early – because we’ve been getting very big crowds – 4000 or more people – this week.

Tonight - Modern Māori Quartet. The members - Maaka Pohatu, Matariki Whatarau, James Tito and Francis Kora are all Toi Whakaari/NZ Drama School graduates and it shows. The foursome are more than singers, they are all-round performers in the mould of the Māori Volcanics, the Quin Tikis and the Howard Morrison Quartet. 

Francis Kora is known as guitarist, bass guitarist and vocalist for dub and roots band, Kora.

These guys are awesome and have plenty of irresistible charm. They call themselves "the creative love child of Prince Tui Teka" with a modern twist. With clever medleys, gorgeous harmonies and plenty of laughs, the Modern Māori Quartet is a trip down memory lane – on the back of a ute.

Tomorrow - folk favourites Nikita the Spooky and a Circus of Men 

Sunday - dreampop duo French for Rabbits.

Tomorrow - Positively Pasifika Festival at Waitangi Park from 12 noon, featuring Rosita Vai, the Laughing Samoans and Bella Kalolo, workshops, performances, film screenings, food stalls and crafts (if the weather is bad, the postponement day is Monday).
Oxfam will be at Waitangi Park to collect donations to help Tonga deal with the damage caused by Cyclone Ian last weekend.

Tomorrow - Out in the Square - the annual gay and lesbian fair (in Civic Square). Out in the Square will celebrate New Zealand’s first summer of queer weddings with the internationally-acclaimed headline act Anika Moa.

Tomorrow - Phoenix vs Melbourne Victory – football at the Westpac Stadium.

Sunday - Turbo Touch beach tournament – starting at 11am on Oriental Bay beach - Turbo Touch combines elements of Touch, Netball, Basketball and Ultimate Frisbee into a fast-paced game like no other – it’s jam-packed with action and perfect for all fitness levels and abilities. Unlike traditional Touch, the ball can be passed forwards (and backwards, sideways, any way you like!).

Monday - Birdman Wellington - music, kid’s rides and activities area, food stalls, market place and, of course, the wild, costumed Birdman jumpers – they’ll be dressing up in crazy costumes and leaping into the harbour between 11am and 5pm!

People are welcome to come along and enter. Dress up in your craziest costume, speed down the wharf platform and fly into WellingtonHarbour.
To support the crazy people leaping into the harbour, there’ll be music on two stages – one at Frank Kitts Park, the other in front of Te Papa.

ENDS

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