Media Releases

January 2002

29 January 2002
Waitakere City hosts national celebration of gumfield heritage

23 January 2002
Waitakere Refuse Transfer Station not overloaded 

18 January 2002
Welfare of Tui Glen animals being managed

9 January 2002
Elvis to play in Henderson

29 January 2002

Waitakere City hosts national celebration of gumfield heritage

Thousands of people are expected to visit Waitakere City’s Te Rangi Hiroa Park on March 3 for Tarara Day 2002.

A celebration of the joining of Maori and Croatian cultures on the gumfields more than 100 years ago, Tarara Day provides an opportunity for people of Croatian-Maori descent to celebrate their cultures and learn more about their heritage.

‘Tarara’ was the name given to Croatians by Northland Maori to distinguish them from the English.

More than 10,000 people attended the inaugural Tarara Day in 1999, but this year’s event promises to be even bigger, with wine tasting, entertainment, rides and an opportunity to view memorabilia from the gum-digging era. The event starts at 10am.

“War ravaged Croatian immigrants flocked to Northland’s gumfields at the beginning of the 20th century to provide much needed income for families back home,” says organising committee member, Jack Delich. “A lack of Croatian women and similar cultural mores with Maori meant inter-marriage between the two peoples was common.” 

Mr Delich says the union produced a thriving culture of new ‘Tarara’ (those with mixed heritage) that is prevalent both in the wine making and fishing industries.

“There’s a whole culture living in Auckland (mainly the viticulture capital of Waitakere City) and Northland that have both Maori and Croatian bloodlines. Thousands of Maori have Croatian ties but don’t really understand or know about the history. This event is a chance for everyone to come together and learn about this unique slice of our history.”

Te Rangi Hiroa Park is located on Glen Road, Ranui.

For more information contact us.

23 January 2002

Waitakere Refuse Transfer Station not overloaded 

The Waitakere Refuse Transfer Station is not overloaded, as reported yesterday, affecting the disposal of green waste in the campaign against the Painted Apple Moth. 

The chair of Waitakere City Council's Environmental Management Committee, Cr Penny Hulse, said yesterday: "our transfer station is having absolutely no difficulty processing green waste. 

"In fact, it was our idea that MAF should make use of our facility in order to help contain green waste disposal within the city, " she said. 

Cr Hulse said that the Waitakere City Council had, before Christmas, sought an extension to the Resource Consent that allows the Transfer Station to receive and store green-waste as part of a composting operation. 

"We did this because we expected a big influx of material as a result of the MAF offer of free green waste disposal, to Waitakere residents. However, in granting the extension, the ARC asked MAF to stagger the distribution of the pamphlets to further smooth-out the inflow of material. 

"Both our action and the ARC's were precautionary to help guard against any possibility of breaching the Resource Consent conditions applicable to the site," she said.

Cr Hulse said that Dr John Clearwater was misinformed if he believed that there were green waste disposal problems associated with the transfer station. 

"To the best of my knowledge, Dr Clearwater has not been to -or contacted -the transfer station," she said. 

For more information contact us.

18 January 2002

Welfare of Tui Glen animals being managed

The welfare of ducks and stray cats at the Tui Glen Motor Camp is being managed by Waitakere City Council’s Animal Welfare Services.

The Council issued a circular to Tui Glen tenants prior to the closure of the camp, urging those who could not care for their pets at their new accommodation to contact Animal Welfare Services for assistance. However, a number of animals remain at the site.

“We have heard reports of people attempting to catch the animals, and we are asking the public to refrain from interfering with them,” says Animal Welfare Manager, Tom Didovich.

“The remaining ducks and a small colony of de-sexed cats are being cared for by an animal welfare-minded member of the public, who is working closely with us to ensure the animals are managed correctly. It is intended that the domestic ducks will be re-homed at some stage in the near future, once resources permit.”

For more information contact us.

9 January 2002

Elvis to play in Henderson 

Don’t be a hound dog - put on your blue suede shoes and attend the third annual “Elvis in the Park” concert in Henderson on Sunday 13 January.

Organised by the Memories of Elvis Fan Club NZ (which now boasts more than 300 members nationwide) and sponsored by Waitakere City Council, the free concert is being held in Cranwell Park - home of the City’s internationally recognised Elvis memorial. The event runs from 11am - 5pm.

Organiser Glenys Moore encourages families to bring a picnic to the event, which doubles as a celebration of the legendary rock ‘n’ roll singer’s birthday. It will also be used to promote the 2002 25th anniversary tour to Elvis’ hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.

Top class entertainment will be provided by Elvis impersonators and a live band. Elvis memorabilia from clothing to fridge magnets will be on sale at the concert. Hot food and refreshments will also be available.

For more information see Whats happening in the city or contact us.