7 February 2006

Manukau’s Waitangi Day events a great success

Large crowds were drawn to two successful Waitangi Day events in Manukau yesterday.

An estimated 40,000 people enjoyed a family day of celebration and cultural exchange at the official Waitangi Day event in Hayman Park, while an event to commemorate the tragic sinking of the HMS Orpheus attracted around 3000 to the foreshore of the Manukau Harbour.

The annual Waitangi Day family event is growing larger each year. It is a celebration and commemoration of the Treaty, as well as a fun family day.

It is organised by Toi O Manukau Maori Arts and Cultural Trust in partnership with Manukau City Council. The event has been held over the past 10 years. Prime Minister Helen Clark attended, as she has each year since becoming PM.

Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says the event is always happy and positive and a perfect way to mark New Zealand’s national day. “It is a great reflection of the cultural diversity of our city.

“We always have dances, music and food of many cultures but the Treaty is at the heart of the occasion. It is the reason for the event being held. There’s little formality but everyone recognises it’s one of the most symbolically important days of the year for the city. We show the rest of New Zealand how to commemorate the signing of the Treaty in a harmonious, multi-cultural family setting”.

Meanwhile at Mangere Bridge, the sinking of the HMS Orpheus 144 years ago was commemorated. The British troop ship sank after hitting a sandbar while entering the Manukau Harbour and 189 people died. It was the worst shipwreck in New Zealand’s history.

A replica half-size cannon from the Orpheus was unveiled jointly by Sir Barry and the Prime Minister Helen Clark, who then fired it. The cannon is to become a permanent fixture on the Kiwi Esplanade foreshore.

The programme also featured a march, flyover and a number of water-based events with yachties, sea scouts and other youth-based community groups participating.

Sir Barry says the day was both a commemoration of the sinking tragedy and an event to recognise the contribution of the community groups active on the shores of the Manukau Harbour.

ENDS

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