Tu Tangata to celebrate 30th anniversary in style

NEWS RELEASE
26 August 2008

Tu Tangata to celebrate 30th anniversary in style

Hundreds of Wellington secondary-school students will raise the roof at the TSB Arena in celebration of Pacific culture and school pride on Monday 8 September.

The occasion will be the 30th anniversary of the Tu Tangata Wellington Secondary Schools Polynesian Festival. The only festival of its kind in the Capital, Tu Tangata provides a stage where schools can showcase their Pacific performance prowess. Laughing Samoans comedian Tofiga Fepulea’i will MC the event.

Sir Howard Morrison was the original face of Tu Tangata, promoting the annual event to encourage young people to form and lead cultural performance groups within their secondary schools. The festival was initiated by Kara Puketapu (Te Atiawa), Secretary of Maori Affairs 1979-1980.

Year-13 Wellington East Girls College student Theresa Su’a knows it’s worth it. “I have developed leadership skills from being involved with Tu Tangata. I have learned time management skills, how to take a group of girls who do not know each other and work with them to unify them as sisters.”

Another senior WEGC student, Angie So’oula, says: “Tu Tangata allows us to acknowledge our culture and gives us a sense of community.”

Tu Tangata is now a registered entity with a committee of secondary-school students and teachers. Mentored and supported by Wellington City Council, stakeholders and sponsors, Tu Tangata also provides tertiary scholarships for seven students.

The festival will begin with a Haka Powhiri at 6.30pm. Prices are $5 for students, $10 adults and $25 for family passes (2 adults and 2 children) Tickets can be purchased through Ticketek.

For more information contact: Bessie Fepulea’i, Youth Communities Adviser, Wellington City Council, tel 803 8398 or 021 227 8398 – or at youth[at]wcc.govt.nz

ENDS

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