February 07, 2013
Festival To Pull River Tribe Together
Whanganui iwi are planning a four day celebration to prepare for the likely settlement this year of its treaty claim.
Organising committee spokesperson Nancy Tuaine says it will start with the regular February 28th commemoration of the occupation of Pakaitore Moutoa Gardens.
It will be followed by a rangatahi summit at Putiki Mārae aimed at helping people born after 1983 find a path into leadership roles.
The next day will include a waka ama regatta where teams from the mārae along the river will compete, followed by a tamariki day on the Sunday.
Ms Tuaine says there will also be a hakari to celebrate 25 years of the tribe's annual river journey, the Tira Hoe Waka, which has played a major part in bringing the tribe together.
Whanganui's neighbouring iwi are also planning celebrations, with Ngā Rauru's Toi Te Ahurei running in Waverley from 8th – 10th of March and Ngāti Apa's Apa Rising Festival on 16th March.
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