January 24, 2017
Tamaki Herenga Waka fest aims for the world
One of the people behind the second Tamaki Herenga Waka Festival says the aim is to eventually make it a world class event celebrating Maori culture.
Vivien Sutherland Bridgewater from Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development says moving the venue from the Cloud to the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre on the edge of the Viaduct Basin means the water and land parts of the festival can come together.
She says in celebrating the unique Maori history, culture and heritage of Tamaki Makaurau, the festival over Auckland Anniversary Weekend will change the way Maori are seen in the city.
It also has the potential to become an iconic event internationally that draws people to the city.
"So people travel to the bullfighting for example, people travel to events around the world. Wouldn't be amazing for the city and us as people to have the world come to our place for this event," Ms Sutherland Bridgewater says.
The Tamaki Herenga Waka Festival starts with an on-water parade at 7 am on Saturday as the waka arrive for the powhiri at the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre,with waka racing starting at 9.30.
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