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Home / Rotorua Daily Post

Waitangi fest pulls a crowd

By Kyra Dawson
Rotorua Daily Post·
7 Feb, 2016 07:17 PM2 mins to read

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Hannah Sadd (front) and fellow members of Rise Dance Company having some fun at Youth Centre Waitangi Festival before their performance on stage. Photo / Stephen Parker

Hannah Sadd (front) and fellow members of Rise Dance Company having some fun at Youth Centre Waitangi Festival before their performance on stage. Photo / Stephen Parker

The Rotorua Youth Centre's second Waitangi Day Festival was a big hit on Saturday, with lots of activities and entertainment for all ages.

Youth co-ordinator Alan Solomon said he was rapt with the whole event.

"It was a bit touch-and-go with the rain for a while, but I had a chat with the big guy upstairs and it worked out nicely."

He told the Rotorua Daily Post before the festival he wanted it to be a signature event for the centre.

"It is the day for Aotearoa to celebrate the coming-together of our two cultures and it is vital to keep the wairua [spirit] of Waitangi alive, especially now we are such a diverse multicultural country," Mr Solomon said.

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There was an abundance of activities on offer including giant Jenga, H20 rounders, a basketball competition, volleyball, tug o' war, a massive chess set and face painting.

The festival featured live and local entertainment including three bands, a youth band, two solo singers and a rapper.

"The best part was the performances of all our young people. They were amazing. It's the young people that make an event worthy," Mr Solomon said.

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There was also belly dancing, two hip hop groups and a karate demonstration.

Acts involved in the entertainment included The Rise Dance Company from Tauranga, Stave and Stella Maris.

Food stalls, hangi and a barbecue were also keeping everyone well fed at the event.

Mr Solomon said the festival wouldn't have been possible without the help of local businesses that donated more than $1000 worth of prizes.

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The festival was steadily growing with about 300 people coming along, which was double last year's number, Mr Solomon said.

Mondayised holidays:

* Today is a public holiday for Waitangi Day on Saturday.

* The Labour Party's Mondayisation Bill, to transfer Waitangi Day and Anzac Day holidays to a Monday when they fall on a weekend, passed its final reading in Parliament by one vote on April 18, 2013.

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