Waitangi festival promises abundance of activities

Rotorua Youth Centre youth co-ordinators Alan Solomon and Veena Kameta get ready for tomorrow's fun. Photo / Stephen Parker

The Rotorua Youth Centre will be hosting its second Waitangi Day Festival with lots of activities and entertainment on offer.

Youth co-ordinator Alan Solomon said it was 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 where we are such a diverse multicultural country," Mr Solomon said.

There will be an abundance of activities available, including giant Jenga, H20 rounders, a basketball competition, volleyball, tug-of-war, a massive chess set and face painting.

The festival will feature live and local entertainment including three bands, one of which is a youth band, two solo singers and a rapper.

There will also be belly dancing, two hip-hop groups and a karate demonstration.

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

More than $1000 worth of prizes is up for grabs.

Food stalls, hangi and a barbecue will also feature at the event.

The event had "heaps of support from community businesses", Mr Solomon said.

The festival should be bigger than last year as they had spent three months organising it, rather than four days last year, he said.

- For more information call (07) 343 1012 or email activities@rotoruayouthcentre.org.

Details:

* What: Rotorua Youth Centre Waitangi Day Festival.

* When: Tomorrow, 12pm to 4pm.

* Where: The Rotorua Youth Centre, Te Ngae Rd (opposite Countdown).

* Cost: Free.