Waitangi Day event draws a huge crowd

Manukau’s 2010 Waitangi Day Family Celebrations were a great success, with over 40,000 people in attendance.

A solid line-up of bands, singers and dancers kept the live stage area packed from Stan Walker’s performance at midday until Kora’s finale in the late afternoon.

Highlights of the day for Toi O Manukau’s Kaiwhakahaere Nigel Borell included, “Seeing half of the park moving en masse when Stan Walker took the stage”, and “Maisey Rika’s beautiful acoustic set which provided a soothing contrast to the afternoon’s high-energy schedule”.

This year’s celebrations took place for the first time at Barry Curtis Park in Flat Bush. The new venue proved its worth in accommodating nearly double the previous year’s attendees comfortably.

Toi o Manukau have received an overwhelmingly positive response to the event and say that the day ran very smoothly. The organisers commend the Manukau community for their part in making the event so relaxed and enjoyable.