Auckland youth welcome ignites festival spirit

By SUSANNE TAYLOR* and SONIA ROBINSON*

A multi-cultural mix of teenagers sang a powerful and touching welcome at a powhiri to kick off Auckland's ignite2001 festival yesterday.

The 24 Auckland secondary school students were hand-picked to take part in the New Zealand Opera creative workshops, a highlight of the eight-day event.

The festival, a partnership between the British Council and Auckland venue the Edge, gives young people the chance to take part in workshops ranging from literature to music, dance and diplomacy.

Prime Minister Helen Clark spoke at the powhiri of her passion for the arts and said the festival was a great chance for young people to take part and explore leadership.

More than 50 people attended, including performance poet Benjamin Zephaniah and Andrew Wade of the Royal Shakespeare Company – two leading lights of the festival.

Sally Markham, of the Edge, said the powhiri set the tone for the whole festival.

"It's launched ignite and it's on the right pathway," she said.

* The authors are journalism students at Auckland University of Technology.

Feature: ignite2001 festival

ignite2001 official website