Takitimu Together Again After 5 Centuries

Wednesday, 25 June 2008, 12:12 am
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

NGATI KAHUNGUNU IWI INCORPORATED
MEDIA RELEASE

Embargo until 25 June 2008

Takitimu Together Again After 5 Centuries

Waikoko Gardens will fill with laughter, song, dance and oratory as thousands of descendants from the Takitimu Canoe converge in Hastings for an unforgettable celebration in November.

The Takitimu Festival was launched last night at Parliament by Hon Judith Tizard, Associate Minister of Arts, Heritage and Culture.

The inaugural event, hosted by Ngati Kahungunu Iwi, will bring together the best 1,500 artisans, craftspeople, musicians, performers, singers and actors from eight iwi and three Pacific nations of Takitimu descent over five days.

The festival village will encompass 5 stages, an art trail, food and craft fair, kiddies playground and interactive forums. The event takes place around Lake Waikoko in the magnificent setting of a 100 year old 5 hectare garden.

Visitors will wander along tree lined grass pathways to view a kinetic art trail surrounding the festival village. The area is lit at night to enhance the sensory experience.

The festival has four main streams;
1. Wananga. Oral and written presentations on the whakapapa, history and karakia from each area of the waka.
2. Te Reo Wananga – Oral Arts. Forums provide a platform for discussion, action on current issues and a plan for future generations
3. Nga Toi – Visual Arts. Key Takitimu artists will develop work for “Takitimu Te Waka Tipua” Exhibition and the village kinetic art trail
4. Kapa Haka – Performing Arts. This will feature all performing art forms including traditional and contemporary dance, drama, music and oratory.

A highlight of the five day festival is a spectacular outdoor pageant. For one night only each iwi and Pacific nation is invited to showcase their best performers, singers, dancers and musicians.

Kahungunu will present a 2,000 strong welcoming party on Thursday 13 November to Maori and Pacific nation leaders. The festival closes on Sunday 15 November with celebratory farewell performances by eight Takitimu choral ensembles.

Organisers expect 20,000 people at the festival and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi has underwritten the $500,000 event. The festival runs Thursday 13 November to Sunday 16 November at Waikoko Gardens, Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds, Kenilworth Rd, Hastings.

Cost is $30 for a 5 Day Pass 12 – 16 November.
$20 early-bird special if purchased before 19 September 2008.
Tickets on sale now from Ticketek.

The festival will draw Takitimu descendants from Taitokerau, Tauranga Moana, Te Tairawhiti, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngai Tahu, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti and Cook Islands.

ENDS

www.kahungunu.iwi.nz
www.takitimufestival.co.nz

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