OKAHU BAY TO HOST WAITANGI DAY 2000 CELEBRATIONS - AUCKLAND
6 FEBRUARY 2000

Organisers of next year's Waitangi Day celebrations hope to create a carnival atmosphere at the Okahu Bay Reserve near Bastion Point. Food stalls, arts, crafts and canoe-making demonstrations are just some of the attractions planned. The annual 'One Love' concert which celebrates Bob Marley's birthday will also be included in the day.

The event is a joint venture between Ngati Whatua o Orakei, Waiata Artists Trust and the Catalyst Trust. While it's the first time a Waitangi Day celebration has been held at Okahu Bay, the three say there'll be plenty to attract the spectators.

"Okahu Bay is a busy thoroughfare for people heading out to East Auckland's beaches, café's and sidewalks," says Waiata Artists' Chairman Will 'Ilolahia.
"We've already got a lot of stallholders, artists, fashion designers and other people interested and we're still open to people who want to sell their stuff. We want to create a positive festive feeling in the beautiful surroundings of Okahu Bay."

New parliamentary MP, Nandor Tanczos will be one of the main Master of Ceremonies. A veteran organizer of the 'One Love' concerts for the past five years, Tanczos admits he'll probably be delegating a lot of his duties next year.

"The concept of the 'One Love' concert is exactly as it sounds," says Tanczos. "We want to promote peace, love, and unity - the very tenets of Rastafarianism and justice in line with the concept of celebrating Waitangi Day. It just so happens too that Bob Marley's birthday falls on Waitangi Day. We want people to have a good time without any hassles."

The day is being promoted as a smoke and alchohol free event with a heavy emphasis on family participation. It's one of eight events Waiata Artists has arranged for the day. Others include church services throughout the Auckland region.

© Scoop Media