Iwi Leads National Day Celebration at No Cost to Taxpayers

Tuesday, 29 January 2013, 9:43 am
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Iwi Leads National Day Celebration at No Cost to Taxpayers

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi is organising and funding Hawke’s Bay’s major Waitangi Day celebrations in Hastings.

The purpose of the day is to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between Ngāti Kahungunu chiefs and the crown on 24 June 1840. The iwi agreed to hold a celebration for all New Zealanders to enjoy a festive showcase of sports, arts and music.

The iwi’s chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana is looking forward to the occasion.

“We are experiencing positive changes in the fabric of our Hawke’s Bay society with the influx of migrant workers from the Pacific nations, Asia, Africa and Europe”, said Ngahiwi. “We invite them to celebrate our National Day and to look forward together as proud New Zealanders”.

The theme of the celebration is sharing and caring.

Sharing

“Five sporting codes including volleyball, netball, 3 on 3 basketball, touch and Ki Orahi will organise tournaments in the morning. From 11am a host of local performers of all ethnicities will take the stadium stage from kapa haka to middle east belly dancing. It’s a great way to showcase Kiwis on our national day” said Ngahiwi.

Caring

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi adopted a tobacco free policy at the event two years ago with the purpose of encouraging iwi members to quit smoking and embrace a healthy lifestyle. “We want our people to live longer so they can counsel their children and enjoy their grandchildren as they grow up”, said Ngahiwi.

Smokefree will launch their Wero challenge, encouraging families to quit smoking together by competing against other families to win $5,000 for an organisation of their choice.

The Hawke’s Bay PHO will provide free heart, cervical and mammogram health tests for the public. A family care centre for breastfeeding and child care is on site.

The event is now the biggest multi activity event staged at the $20 million dollar Hawke's Bay Sports Park in Hastings and the organisers plan to make full use of the 30 hectare site.

A homegrown market for international food and craft will run alongside live art demonstrations, karaoke and free kiddies rides.

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi promotions manager Te Rangi Huata is organising the event.

“We’ve got free mini jeeps, a merry go round, three slides and six bouncy castles for all ages, so we welcome families to come and have a wonderful day on us.”, said Te Rangi. “It’s exciting to be working on this free event for the whole community.”

A world-class covered grandstand will provide all day weather protection for an expected 5,000 plus audience. There’s free onsite parking for a thousand vehicles and easy access from the Hawke’s Bay Expressway.

The event is alcohol free, smoke free and tobacco free.

What: Waitangi National Day.
Why: Celebration of nationhood, community and family
Who: Organised by Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi
When: Wednesday 6th February 9am to 4pm. Gates open at 8.00am.
Where: Hawke’s Bay Sports Park, Percival Rd, Hastings
Cost: Free. Everyone welcome.
Contact: Call 06-987-2718 Extension 706 Te Rangi Huata terangi@kahungunu.iwi.nz

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi is the third largest iwi with 22,000 registered members. Its tribal boundaries extend from Wairoa through Hawke’s Bay and Tararua to Wairarapa.
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