Manukau’s 2010 Waitangi Day celebration has a line up of some the country’s most promising artists, including Kora, Maisey Rika, and J Williams & Erakah.

The Manukau event is New Zealand's second-largest, and the Auckland region's largest, commemorative event attracting over 40,000 people every year.  Organised by Toi o Manukau Maori, and supported by Manukau City Council and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the celebration offers an exciting family day of ceremony, education, market stalls, free entertainment and children's rides.

“February 6 marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840," says Manukau Mayor Len Brown. “It is a time to reflect on the impact of the Treaty on our history and our future. Manukau's celebrations are also a reflection of our diversity." 

Toi o Manukau Chairperson Rose Whaiapu adds “We are proud of our long association with Manukau City Council in presenting this event and feel the success of this day is due to the great working partnership we have with the council.”

Attendees are advised that the celebrations will be held at a new venue in 2010 – Barry Curtis Park in Flat Bush.  The free event is smoke and alcohol free. Parking will be available at the venue on the day.

The programme:

Atea: ceremonial welcome

The Whakangahau area: a performance stage with free entertainment throughout the day. Headlined by Kora, Maisey Rika, J Williams and Erakah, Sweet & Irie, 2010 World breakdance champions ReQuest plus many more.

Tamariki zone: popular children’s area, incorporating free rides and activities and an under-five area.

Marketplace: a shopping village full of a variety of stalls selling healthy kai, arts, crafts, clothing and merchandise along with information stalls.

Tiriti Korero (treaty education): Information and open forums with guest speakers covering current Treaty issues.

Premier sponsorship is provided by Manukau City Council, with additional sponsorship by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, MaiFM and Manukau Water.

What:            Waitangi Day Family Celebration

When:           Saturday 6 February, 10am-6pm

Where:          Barry Curtis Park, Chapel Road, Flat Bush   

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NOTE TO EDITORS: 

Important information for visitors: People attending for all or most of the day are advised to be sun smart and bring their sun block and sun umbrella. The event is alcohol, smoke and drug free.  Free parking is available at Chapel Road entrance to Sancta Maria College and three designated parking areas on the Stancombe Road side of the park.  All parking areas will be clearly identified. 'No parking' areas will be enforced and cars in breach may be towed away.

BAND BIOS

Kora

Kora are a 5 piece band with huge live presence – vocal harmonies sailing on a powerhouse rhythm section. Solid musicians, the 4 brothers & Dan, hail from Wellington & Whakatane. Kora are; Laughton Kora on vocals, guitar & keys; Francis Kora on bass & vocals; Stuart Kora on guitar & vocals; Brad Kora on drums & Dan McGruer on keys & bass. Kora’s debut self-titled album was released on 15th October 2007 and shot straight to the top of the Official NZ charts – debuting in the Number 1 slot. Kora are showing no signs of slowing down. [sourced from www.kora.co.nz]

Maisey Rika

Maisey Rika is a talented upcoming female singer and songwriter, and her new album '*Tohu*' is perfect for summer road trips and afternoon kicking back with friends. Maisey represented NZ in Tokyo for the World Cup meet as well as winning 'Best Female Solo Artist' award at the Waiata Maori awards 2009. [sourced from Integrity Promotions and Kog].

J. Williams

He's a member of the national champion Prestige hip hop street dancing crew which came fourth in the 2009 World Champs, and (under the name Dziah) came second three years ago. Now the Samoan from south Auckland is trying to prove he has the voice to also make it to the top. His debut single 'Blow your mind' co-produced by NOX and Illegal Musik's MC Patriarch, of Ill Semantics fame, was released in 2009 with an accompanying Chris Brown-like music video, funded by NZ On Air. ‘Stand With You’ marks the 4th single to come from ‘Young Love’ being a duet with elder sister Lavina Williams. The single follows the recent hit the gold certified ‘Ghetto Flower’ which has already spent 11 weeks in the Top 40, 8 of those in the top 10. His debut album Young Love takes us on a journey, an honest and open discourse into the life of J. Young Love was released in July 2009 and is distributed by Warners. [sourced from www.muzic.net.nz]

Sweet & Irie

Sweet & Irie is the creation of singer/ song writer Edward Ru (lead vocals) the vibrant front man that is leading a new wave of reggae music from the South Pacific. Born in South Auckland and raised in Otara, before moving back to his home land of the Cook Islands as a teenager, the young musician was witness to a tough upbringing that in later years would be the inspiration that fuelled his authentic song writing abilities. Their debut album features powerfully distinctive and passionate vocals from Ru, with lyrics influenced by the Irie legacy of the legendary Bob Marley. Original songs like 'Uncle Bob' & 'Sweet & Irie' are timeless Rastafarian tunes that speak to the foundation of reggae while newer songs like 'Mama, Don’t Cry' & 'My Girl' catapult the sound into a new dimension ready for sound systems and radio speakers everywhere. 'Sweet & Irie' the new sound of Reggae in the South Pacific” [sourced from www.muzic.net.nz]

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