It's all about One Love for Waitangi Day

February 2, 2009
Media Advisory

It's all about One Love for Waitangi Day

One of New Zealand's biggest Waitangi Day parties is set for this Friday, February 6, when up to 15,000 Wellingtonians will flock to the Hataitai Velodrome to celebrate unity and community on Aotearoa's national day.

Radio Active 89FM's One Love 2009 has become an iconic event in New Zealand as a giant picnic under the sun, with an emphasis on friendship, family and shared identity.

Prominent New Zealand bands The Black Seeds, Little Bushman, Unity Pacific and Electric Wire Hustle spearhead one of the strongest line-ups in One Love's 12 year-history, supported by Radio Active 89FM's Roots and Culture DJs Topknot, Ras Twig, Misteek and Carlito.

All of the performers were approached because of their association with positive and thoughtful music. Of significant note, Unity Pacific's Tigi Ness had a strong association with social activism in New Zealand, joining the Polynesian Panthers group and serving time for his role in the anti-apartheid protest movement.

The annual One Love concerts have grown exponentially in the 12-year history of the event, first staged in 1998 to 200 people in Wellington's Civic Square, attracting 300 people the next year at the adjacent Jack Illot Green and then 1000 at Oriental Beach in 2000.

More than 3000 people swamped the One Love 2001 event, held at the Botanic Gardens, before the decision was made to move the event to the Hataitai Velodrome, where it has regularly attracted crowds in excess of 12,000 people.

One Love organisers place a significant emphasis on family and community at the event by providing amusement rides for children, arts and crafts stalls and a wide variety of food stands. Chill-out zones and 10,000 litres of free water are provided.

One Love operates a strict policy of 'no gang patches, no BYO, no dogs, no attitudes' to ensure the event's history of easy-going harmony is preserved. Admission is $10.

One Love 2009: Roots Rock Reggae: Waitangi Day, 2009 @ Hataitai Velodrome, Wellington
Entry $10 (under 15s free), with free Active Card included. More info at www.radioactive.co.nz

ENDS

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