The Auckland Carnival Events Incorporated Society (ACE) had its initial launch dinner in Mission Bay last Friday.
The dinner event, held in the authentic Mission Bay restaurant Jewel of India, was to acknowledge key supporters and committee members of the organisation.
An honourable thank you was given to Helen Amituana'i of Mercury Energy by Luke Blincoe (Mighty River Power’s Manager of New Markets) and Gary Holmes of the Glen Innes Business Association, both avid supporters who helped to make the Glen Innes Carnival such a success last year.
The ACE team entertained special guests including local MPs Kanwalijit Singh Bakshi of Manakau East, Su'a Sio-Williams of Mangere, Peseta Sam Lotu Iiga of Maungakiekie-Tamaki, and Simon O’Connor of Glen Innes / Mission Bay.
They’re each looking forward to the summer carnivals following this year’s Glen Innes Carnival; Te Atatu, and Otahuhu, which are planned to be held in the early months of 2013.
The Glen Innes Carnival, to be held on November 10, will kick off the 'Carnival Season'. The main aim of the carnivals is to celebrate the cultural diversity of Auckland City- bringing communities together through art, food, culture and music.
The organisation’s chief executive, Jocelyn Sasa, was overwhelmed with the turnout. She said she was ecstatic about getting the season underway.
The night concluded with a surprise drum performance from a local cook island group, with many of the guests getting up to dance and show some carnival spirit.