Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc
Press Release – Waitangi Day
30th January 2009

Friday 6 February 2009

What?
Commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the Crown and Ngati Kahungunu

Where?
Farndon Park Domain, Clive on the corner of Highway 2 and Farndon Road from 10.00am to 4.00pm

Who?
A free family day that is accessible to all New Zealanders and international visitors. Hawke’s Bay region’s largest commemorative event for Waitangi Day.

The Waitangi Day Family Celebration is presented by the Maori Millenium Committee and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc. The group is one of 70 events that received a grant from the Ministry of Heriatge & Culture’s Waitangi Day Fund.

Families from Hastings, Napier and across the Hawke’s bay region are invited to the day of ceremony, education, fun and free entertainment. Throughout, it’s anticipated that a crowd of 20,000 will visit the festival.

Why?

Celebration of nationhood, community, family and Kahungunu. The theme for the day is “Tatou Taou E” “ Togetherness”

Funders
Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, Te Puni Kokiri and Roopu a Iwi Trust.

Background

• Significantly the Waitangi Day event will take place 500m from the site where Ngati Kahungunu chiefs Te Hapuku, Waikato and Mahokai signed the Treaty of Waitangi with crown representatives Major Bunbury and Edward Williams on 24 June 1840 aboard HMS Herald.

• Historically this area was important as a river highway first by Ngati Kahungunu and then by the first British settlers. Three rivers in past years converged near Farndon Park – Tukituki, Tutaekuri and Ngaruroro. Missionary printer William Colenson built his home nearby at Waitangi and barges of wool and flax were ferried to ships at the river mouth returning to Britain and beyond.

• A diverse range of events will take place that have both wide and specific interest appeal with key elements being fun, discovery, participation and interaction.

The Waitangi Day programme:

• Clive River – A wonderful setting for the ceremonial welcome at 10am as parties of colourful travellers arrive by foot from Waipatu Marae, Hastings and the Pania Statue, Napier. Classic cutter boats, waka ama and Nga Tukemata waka will join the opening pageant at 10.15am. The public are welcome to join one of 8 river journeys on the splendid 17m Nga Tukemata o Kahungunu Waka from 11am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm. Waka ama will compete in 250m sprint races from 12pm to 2pm.

• Main Stage line-up includes reggae band Ria Hall and the Road of Hope from Wellington, Nga Morehu reggae band from Kapiti and Taranaki, Maia Crowchild from Canada and local artists Ahmen Gospel Quartet, Bollywood dancers, Haka Heroes, Tribal Syndicate and kapa haka groups. An outdoor screen will showcase three award winning New Zealand short films, highlight on-stage entertainment and share historical facts on the Treaty of Waitangi.

• Kiddies Zone – A popular children’s area incorporating free kid’s rides all day hosted by Marton’s Arcade Inflatables. These include a giant slide, obstacle course and bouncy castles.

• Marketplace. A shopping village of 70 stalls selling a variety of food, craftwork, merchandise and clothing.

• Sports Field. Marae touch teams compete for $1,000 cash prizes in this exciting and popular tournament

This is a safe, fun, family day. Conditions of entry includes no alcohol, glass, dogs or gang regalia. The site is surrounded by 550m of security fencing. Entry points and festival grounds will be monitored by Allied Security.
Parking for 2,000 vehicles is free at the Domain and paddocks nearby on Farndon Road.

ENDS