A celebrity closer to home for the 12 AFFIRM Aranui Festival – BIGGER, BRIGHTER, BETTER is newly elected Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel who will open the annual community celebration on Saturday 7 December at Wainoni Park.

A regular attendant Mayor Lianne Dalziel has opened twelve AFFIRM festivals since 2002 in her former Christchurch East MP role.

“Lianne has been a great supporter to AFFIRM, not only for Aranui Community but has endorsed the even to the rest of the city.  She loves the day” says Festival organizer and Actis Manager, Rachel Fonotia.

Joining the celebrity line up is award winning Reggae artist Swiss, and the band Brown Hill.  In 2012 Swiss created a big online following from his self released single and video ‘Slow Wind', and self funded tours to the US and Australia,  then became signed to a worldwide release through Dawn Raid Entertainment. 

Amongst Swiss’s two years of touring, the Wellington born Tongan (real name is Pepa Manu) won two Pacific Music Awards earlier in May, and recorded his debut full length album ‘Lucky Man’.  On it boasts twelve new songs, plus a bonus disc of covers and songs from his ‘Slow Wind’ EP.

Over the years AFFIRM has attracted some of New Zealand’s most well known entertainers to its big concert stage, many of them gifting part of their time in support the festival that promotes and seeks to build pride in Aranui.

“The big stage matches the calibre of acts that have performed on it– from Aaradhna to Ardijah and from Che Fu to Nesian Mystic” says Ms Fonotia “Also local legends like Scribe and Ladi 6 came back to their neighbourhood at the peak of their careers.  They all have shared the stage with local bands and groups. ” says Ms Fonotia.

This 12 AFFIRM and its team has grown its own culture of professional event delivery from grass roots with a mix of varied ages and skills, local businesses, funders, loyalty and strong leadership in Ms Fonotia who is well supported by the whole community - from the audience and families who attend to the Mayor of Christchurch and husband Rob Davidson.

“Our whole AFFIRM team is a family of loyal community members, the same team from the beginning in 2002.  And we celebrate all levels of achievement here on the day through our community awards, local schools performing on the big stage, the Top Team competition and the market and information stalls.”

Performances at the 12 AFFIRM feature – Primary schools Freeville, Wainoni, Aranui Primary, St James and Aranui High  School;  Church groups - Ekalesia Au Uso Kerisiano Samoa, Ola Taumafai Youth Group Trust; Dance groups - Marimba Dance Group, 3^rd Watch, Rarotongan Group,  and finally music groups -  reggae band Mana Whanau,  Te Huaki and Te Kotahitanga and the Takumi Japanese Drumming Group

Ends

Contact details

Rachael Fonotia

Event Coordinator

0212167177 or 9637072