16 January 2015
The Taupo District's biggest Waitangi Day festival is back for 2015 with popular New Zealand reggae band House of Shem headlining the event.
The trio plays music that combines roots reggae, Pacific reggae and traditional Maori music. They will be joined by a great line up of musicians including Chad Chambers, Jah Sito, Native Soulz and our district's own Jam Dr and Aaron Moeke. Taupo-nui-a-Tia College's kapa haka group will also perform.
Taupo District Council district events manager Steve Giles said he was looking forward to the festival on February 6 at Riverside Park and hoped there would be a great turnout for the 175th Waitangi Day celebrations.
Last year over 4500 people came along to this event, which is a huge number of people enjoying the entertainment on offer, he said. As well as the Taupo crowd, we hope to have plenty of families from Turangi and Mangakino come along again this year to bring all corners of the district together.
Free buses to and from the event will operate from Turangi and Mangakino. Numbers are limited and those interested must register at the Turangi and Mangakino service centres.
Taupo District Council is working alongside sponsors Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Contact Energy, Creative Taupo, Creative Communities NZ, BayTrust, Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board and Mighty River Power to ensure the festival is free to attend.
Organisers are looking for volunteers interested in helping out and those who are keen to hold stalls at the festival. Arts, crafts, cultural and food stalls will all be considered. Priority will be given to not-for-profit organisations and community groups. Anyone interested should contact Taupo District Council strategic relationships advisor Cornelia Dempsey on cdempsey@taupo.govt.nz or 07 376 0746.
The following day Pukawa Marae will host an event at Pukawa Lakefront Reserve from 10am to 3pm. The Waitangi Tuwharetoa ki Pukawa Festival will feature performances by Awa and Tomorrow People.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410
Vicki Waterhouse Communications Advisor 07 376 0718 027 484 2549
Taupo District Council
www.taupo.govt.nz
