New Plymouth performers who have made it big, plus the popular Sami Sisters, will feature at the Waitangi Whanau Day 2010 on Puke Ariki Landing.

And in the week leading up to Waitangi Day a series of free discussions will be held in Puke Ariki on various topics around the Treaty of Waitangi.

“We’ve found that the Community Korero week followed by a family fun day is a very popular mix and a great way to get the community to come together,” says Acting Manager Community Development Mary-Anne Priest.

“The Community Korero attracts people of all ages as they’re able to discuss topics that are very important, yet can be quite sensitive, in an environment where they’re encouraged to share their views.”

The Waitangi Whanau Day runs from 1.00pm to 4.00pm on Saturday 6 February.

Appearing on stage with the Sami Sisters will be Kidz in Space, the La’asaga Youth Group and Future.
Kidz in Space are three musicians based in Auckland and touring the world. “One of the members is Ethical, a New Plymouth youth who won a Young Achievers Award for music from the Council’s Youth Subcommittee a couple of years ago,” says Ms Priest.

“The group has just come back from New York and will be heading off soon to Texas.”
The La’asanga Youth Group will be performing Samoan numbers, while Future is a former New Plymouth dancer who performs and teaches worldwide.

“Future will also be running a dance funk workshop at the whanau day,” says Ms Priest.
“We’ll also have kapa haka, a treaty information tent, the Tamariki Time Zone and a free sausage sizzle.”

More…

The Community Korero workshop series will be held in the Puke Ariki Education Room next week (1 to 5 February). To book your place, phone NPDC on 06-759 6060 or email enquiries@npdc.govt.nz. The five workshops are: The Treaty of Waitangi 101 (10.00am-noon on Monday 1 February), Your Identity and the Global Community (9.30am-noon on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 February), How Important is the Treaty in 2010? (9.30am-noon on Thursday 4 February), and Tino Rangatiratanga (9.30am-noon on Friday