Former Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will be keynote speaker at a mega-scale Fiji Independence Day celebration to be held in October in Auckland.
Organiser Pio Wong has confirmed to the Indian Weekender that Rabuka will grace the occasion marking the 41st anniversary of Fiji’s Independence from British rule.
And the day-long affair has been made even more special with the presence of Maori royalty – the Maori King will be chief guest at the function which is planned coincide with the Rugby World Cup.
The day which will feature traditional Fiji and Indian presentations, children’s sports, food stalls, etc, is being organised by the Marantha Outreach Fellowship, headed by Pio Wong.
Wong, as many will remember, was Chief of Staff of the Royal Fiji Military Forces when Lieutenant-Colonel Rabuka carried out his two military coups in 1987. He has since been living in Auckland.
And Wong told Indian Weekender all Fiji peoples were invited to the special event to be held on October 8 at the Netball Waitakere Te Pai Centre, in Henderson.
“Fiji Day is being celebrated on such a big scale for the first time, and we want to make it memorable.”
Opening with dedication and flagraising ceremony at 8am, the celebration takes a formal turn at around 2pm when the Maori King arrives, and stays on until dinner at 8pm. The Fiji style banquet dinner is expected to seat 800 people. One hundred tables of eight per table are to be sold at $500 per table, Wong said.
The Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia, will be accorded traditional Fijian welcome ceremony followed by an Indian welcome and garlanding ceremony.
The event which will be MC’d by Dr Steven Ratuva, former University of the South Pacific academic and political commentator, who is now based in Auckland.
Wong said those individuals and business houses interested in securing tables needed to act quickly as they were selling out quickly.
“Only 100 x stalls will be available for the day at $100 for individuals and $250 for business houses.”
Wong said they were welcoming financial support which can be made available to the organisers to help make the celebrations a success.
Many organisations and businesses had already pledged their support but we are keen to get more, he said.
“Your support and financial assistance to make this important day a success will be greatly appreciated. Any other contribution is welcomed.”
Organising secretary Wong can be contacted on 021-240-7922, or chairman Josua Tavaga 021037-0467; or Ratu Isoa Soqosoqo 021 058-2807.
Here’s a programme brief:
Fiji Independence Day celebration; Venue: Netball Waitakere Tepai Courts; 31-35 Tepai Place, Henderson Auckland.
8am, Dedication, Flagraising; 8:30am, Stalls Open; Youth and Children Sports Open; Music and Entertainment; Fijian and Indo Fijian Presentations.
12:30pm, Preparation of Arrival of His Majesty Kiingi Tuheitia; 13:45, Everyone seated; 14:00 Arrival of His Majesty; Fijian Arrival Ceremony (I Vakasobu) Powhiri.
Chief Guest Seated, Garlanding Presentations, Fijian and Indian Community.
14:30pm, Dedication Prayer Inter-Faith; Full Fijian Traditional Ceremony begins.
His Majesty The King’s Speech; Fiji Community Response (Ulivi ni Vosa) expected to be by Sitiveni Rabuka; Flag Ceremony; NZ and Fijian National Anthem; Special Entertainment Meke; Afternoon Tea for the Royal Party.
18:00-20:00, Cocktail and Watch the 1st Quarter Finals of the Rugby World Cup - Big Screen Provided.
A Bar will also be open
20:00, Dinner, 21:30, Entertainment and Special Presentations.
MC for the Evening: Dr Steve Ratuva
Dress Code: Men -Bula/Sport Shirts; Women- Traditional Attire
A Thanksgiving Inter-denomination Church Service is scheduled for Sunday 9th October 2011 at 3pm in the same venue.