Another successful Festival of the Elements for Porirua. Each year, in celebration of Waitangi Day, the Festival of the Elements is held at Te Rauparaha Park. It's an opportunity for the multicultural communities of Porirua to celebrate a day together in commemoration of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Over the past few years Maori have raised concerns that although there is definately a need for a celebration such as this to happen the day itself doesn't highlight that this day is important because of the signing of the treaty. I think the constant complaints must have been heard because:
1. The day began with mihimihi, karakia and waiata Maori;
2. The MC for the day often spoke about, and asked others, what they knew about the significants of the day;
3. Our Tino Rangatira flag flew from the centre of the park for the entire day without anyone being dragged off the park or arrested.
What a start, but lets remember it is only a start.
The weather was awesome, the entertainment was great (some of them went on too long though), the whanau atmosphere was great, and as usual there was far too much food to buy.
Let's see what 2010 brings us . . .
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