Kiwis brave winds to celebrate Waitangi Day
The meteorological department’s forecast said Friday 6th February 2015 would be a windy and a rainy day, a little suitable for outdoor activities but not really recommended to drench in the summer rain. The people of Auckland defied the rules of the skies and braved the winds at the MJ Savage Memorial Park, Bastion Point in Mission Bay to commemorate the 175th year of the signing of the ‘Treaty of Waitangi’.
The Waitangi Day celebrations 2015 in Auckland was held with an exciting number of performances and a huge crowd turnout at the ‘marae’ (sacred land), Bastion Point which is a very important location historically for the Maori people.
Supported by the Auckland Council, the ‘marae’ at the Bastion Point is an elevated hill and acres of sacred land for the Polynesian societies, usually a place for protests by the indigenous people.
The celebration started with a ‘Kapa Haka’ at the ‘Wharenui’ (a big meeting house) followed by individual stage dance and band performances. The people made themselves comfortable on their mats, couches and picnic chairs in the vast field, sipped coffee and juice, ate steaks and cotton candy and relished the long show.
A huge stage was set and three most renowned bands from New Zealand- the Black Seeds, Hollie Smith and 1814 performed at the show. The Black Seeds who are a Rock and Reggae genre band from Wellington took the stage late in the afternoon, cheered by more than 15,000 audience. Hollie Smith a New Zealand renowned Soul and Pop singer performed later in the evening followed by band 1814.
People from all age groups were present for the show. The kids enjoyed the face painting, jumping castles, swinging ships and floating balls while the others enjoyed the delicious Napoli Pizzas, exotic sea foods, sausages, organic ice creams and Polynesian artefacts on display. The huge kites of whale and squid were a show stealer, and since the day was windy and drizzly, it added beauty to the blues.
A separate tent on the ‘marae’ showcased various traditional clothing, house decorations, jewelleries and posters that projected protests against selling of their auspicious lands by the government. The artworks also portrayed the history of MJ Savage Memorial park, its existence and the troubles it has been going through for the past couple of decades. The park itself has a spectacular view of the bay, the sea, and islands and none the less, the majestic vision of the Auckland city.
The whole day celebration was a drug and alcohol free event, attended by Maori, Pakeha, Middle Eastern, Fijian and Indian families from all over the North Island, which was also the start of a long weekend last Friday.
The meteorological department’s forecast said Friday 6th February 2015 would be a windy and a rainy day, a little suitable for outdoor activities but not really recommended to drench in the summer rain. The people of Auckland defied the rules of the skies and braved the winds at the MJ Savage...
The meteorological department’s forecast said Friday 6th February 2015 would be a windy and a rainy day, a little suitable for outdoor activities but not really recommended to drench in the summer rain. The people of Auckland defied the rules of the skies and braved the winds at the MJ Savage Memorial Park, Bastion Point in Mission Bay to commemorate the 175th year of the signing of the ‘Treaty of Waitangi’.
The Waitangi Day celebrations 2015 in Auckland was held with an exciting number of performances and a huge crowd turnout at the ‘marae’ (sacred land), Bastion Point which is a very important location historically for the Maori people.
Supported by the Auckland Council, the ‘marae’ at the Bastion Point is an elevated hill and acres of sacred land for the Polynesian societies, usually a place for protests by the indigenous people.
The celebration started with a ‘Kapa Haka’ at the ‘Wharenui’ (a big meeting house) followed by individual stage dance and band performances. The people made themselves comfortable on their mats, couches and picnic chairs in the vast field, sipped coffee and juice, ate steaks and cotton candy and relished the long show.
A huge stage was set and three most renowned bands from New Zealand- the Black Seeds, Hollie Smith and 1814 performed at the show. The Black Seeds who are a Rock and Reggae genre band from Wellington took the stage late in the afternoon, cheered by more than 15,000 audience. Hollie Smith a New Zealand renowned Soul and Pop singer performed later in the evening followed by band 1814.
People from all age groups were present for the show. The kids enjoyed the face painting, jumping castles, swinging ships and floating balls while the others enjoyed the delicious Napoli Pizzas, exotic sea foods, sausages, organic ice creams and Polynesian artefacts on display. The huge kites of whale and squid were a show stealer, and since the day was windy and drizzly, it added beauty to the blues.
A separate tent on the ‘marae’ showcased various traditional clothing, house decorations, jewelleries and posters that projected protests against selling of their auspicious lands by the government. The artworks also portrayed the history of MJ Savage Memorial park, its existence and the troubles it has been going through for the past couple of decades. The park itself has a spectacular view of the bay, the sea, and islands and none the less, the majestic vision of the Auckland city.
The whole day celebration was a drug and alcohol free event, attended by Maori, Pakeha, Middle Eastern, Fijian and Indian families from all over the North Island, which was also the start of a long weekend last Friday.
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