Festival joins party for 70 years of united nations

Festival joins party for 70 years of united nations

Six continents - and the islands.

That's the theme behind the seven waka that will flotilla down Whau river tomorrow afternoon at 4pm, for the Whau Pacific Festival 2015.

"We may come from all over, but here in the islands of New Zealand, we are all islanders," says festival organiser Will 'Ilolahia.

Former Herbs manager and Polynesia Panthers co-founder, 'Ilolahia has been involved with International Day of Peace celebrations for three years, and other community events for decades.

For Whau, Ilolahia is reconvening a peace day choir to sing the legendary John Lennon song, Imagine.

Choir members came from more than 50 communities represented in Auckland, from the islands, and all six continents.

"That's why we called it the Pacific not Pasifika festival - because it's not just 'the islands' but all these other countries as well," says 'Ilolahia.

His long-standing Waiata Trust was contracted by Whau Community Board to promote and manage the festival.

Requesting community leaders to take part, the trust has attracted cooperation from possibly the most diverse range of singers in the city today.

The festival launch will coincide with 70th Anniversary of the United Nations tomorrow, Sunday 24 October, to signify the different nationalities that live in the Whau local board area.

Also tomorrow, Dark Horse director Tom Hern will be a guest of the festival, appearing at the popular Avondale markets to meet members of the public.

Throughout the festival there will be different activities and events all around Whau, for example, music workshops at Avondale Library on 28 October, and a choir competition on 31 October at Liberty Church Glen Avon, plus other arts and performance displays.

Tangata whenua will crew the seventh canoe to usher in the world celebrations for Auckland, the city of sails, the safe harbour desired by many, Tamaki-Makaurau.

ENDS

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