HUTT CITY COUNCIL NEWS RELEASE

23 February 2012

Emergency Services take to the streets

Hutt City Mayor Ray Wallace is inviting residents to a street parade to welcome competitors in the 2012 Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games to the city.

Over 300 emergency services personnel from around New Zealand and Australia are expected to march along Jackson Street, Petone on Friday 2 March at noon.

They will be accompanied by a full range of emergency service vehicles including police cars, fire engines, aviation security vehicles and ambulances.

Mayor Wallace says “it promises to be a colourful occasion.”

The parade route will be Peel Place carpark – Richmond Street – Jackson Street – Buick Street – Petone Recreation Ground and is expected to take 30 minutes.

After the parade participants have arrived at Petone Recreation Ground they will be welcomed by a karanga and haka powhiri by representatives of local mana whenua and the opening ceremony for the Games will begin.

The haka powhiri will be comprised of students from Naenae College, Wainuiomata High School, Te Huatai Katorika and He Ngakau Kotahi Kapa Haka Roopu and from members of the representative emergency services.

This will be followed by a display from the police elite Special Tactics Group (STG) and will involve a mock-rescue scenario. STG members will be fast rope rappelling from a helicopter and conducting a vehicle assault in order to rescue the Games flag.

ENDS

Note to editors:

• Media are invited to the parade and opening ceremony,

• Peel Place car park (behind Petone Library) will be closed to the public from 9am – 1pm to allow for the parade to congregate.

• Parking will be restricted along Buick Street from Jackson St to Petone Recreation Ground from 7am to 1pm

• Traffic delays are expected along Jackson Street, Petone from noon – 12.30pm (approx) Police officers will be on site directing traffic.

• Loud bangs are expected during the STG display and the public should not be alarmed on seeing black-clad figures rappelling out of a helicopter.

• STG members are trained for deployment on high-risk operations such as those involving counter-terrorism, tactical roping from helicopters and buildings, maritime incidents, covert surveillance, hostage rescue and complex armed offender situations.

• The Australasian Police & Emergency Services Games are taking place in Hutt City from 2 – 9 March and involve more than 1500 competitors in 35 sports at 25 venues.

• If wet, the parade will be cancelled and the opening ceremony transferred to the Petone Working Mens Club, Udy St, Petone.

• For further information on the Games visit www.apandesgames.com

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