Media Releases

May 2010

31 May

Matariki festivities light up the west

Horomona Horo is among artists performing at the Matariki Music Night at Corban Estate Arts Centre.

Art, music, film and thought-provoking insights on cultural and economic sustainability make up an impressive line up for Matariki celebrations in Waitakere this year.

These events are part of Auckland's regional Matariki Festival 2010, celebrating Maori New Year with a range of events and activities across Tamaki Makaurau.

"Matariki is without a doubt one of the highlights of the region's cultural calendar," says chair of Waitakere City Council's Culture and Community Committee, Judy Lawley.

"As well as exposing the people of Auckland to a rich and diverse range of traditional, arts, crafts and entertainment the festival is a chance to learn more about the cultural significance of Matariki."

Matariki is the Maori name for the star cluster commonly known as Pleiades or The Seven Sisters. When translated Matariki it means tiny eyes or eyes of god. It is often referred to as Maori New Year.

In the west one of the key events is Nga Korero Tataki, a three night symposium on economic sustainability being held in the council chambers July 12-14.

It will feature presentations by some of Maoridom's leading entrepreneurs who will explore entrepreneurship from traditional and contemporary Maori perspectives.

The symposium also looks at treaty settlement as the start of a new economy. All sessions start at 7pm with entry by koha.

12 July: Nga Tangata Whairawa - Entrepreneurship.
13 July: Nga Mana Pakihi Maori - Successful Maori Businesses.
14 July: Ki tua o te Karauna - Moving beyond The Crown.

Other events throughout the month include art exhibitions, workshops and events celebrating Maori music and film.

Matariki - he po whakanui, Matariki Music Night 2010 at Corban Estate Arts Centre at 8pm on June 18 is an event not to be missed.

This evening honours the past and looks to the future through the musical talents of Tama Waipara, Teremoana Rapley, Horomona Horo, Majic Ropata, Katera Maihi, Ria Hall, Mel Davis and Matreya aka Jamie Greenslade.

Tickets $20. Bookings via email on info@ceac.org.nz or 838 4455.

Corban Estate and Lopdell House are just some of the organisations celebrating Matariki with a range of events.

For full details on their programmes to go www.ceac.org.nz or www.lopdell.org.nz

To find out more about what's going on across Auckland visit www.matarikifestival.org.nz

Some other Matariki events throughout Waitakere are:

28 May - 11 July

Matariki Exhibition- He Wa Maumaharatanga, Te Iwi, Te Whenua
A time of remembrance: Of people and of place

25 June - 10 July

Te Taumata O Matariki Exhibition Series 2010

24 - 26 June

Whetu I te Rangi - Lisa Reihana

Friday, 25 June

Matariki Short Film Night

Saturday, 26 June

Mahi te Toi - Mahi Whakairo me Mahi Raranga:
Carving and Weaving workshops

Matariki - Polynesian Music and Dance Workshop

31 May

All Blacks under new lights in Waitakere

All Blacks under lights.

The new floodlights on Douglas Track and Field get their first official work out on Thursday, 3 June when the All Blacks hold a public training session.

The Trusts Stadium officially opens the lights on the same night, five years after The Trusts Stadium Arena.

The event is expected to kick off at 5.30pm with the All Blacks training for an hour, followed by an autograph session. This is followed by local athletes from the Waitakere City Athletic Club will be competing under the lights and a rugby match between home club Waitakere City Rugby Club and their Eden counterparts.

Entry is free

"The floodlights signify a commitment of the Waitakere City Stadium Trust to develop for the community iconic versatile facilities, debt free and appropriate for our community" says Stadium Chief Executive, Simon Wickham.

The trust raised more than $10 million towards the project with significant investment from Waitakere City Council and The Trusts. There was also private donations of a few hundred dollars towards the project.

"The community donations have been a feature since day one," notes Mr Wickham.

"Several local businesses, such as Douglas Pharmaceuticals and the generosity of bequests and several funding agencies have assisted us open another great facility debt free".

The floodlights are a first of their kind in New Zealand developed with a unique hinge mechanism that means no cranes are necessary for installation and maintenance can be done by dropping the pole to the ground for lamp replacement.

"To be involved from specification along to installation in such a World Class project made us really proud," says, James Evans, director of lighting company, Fel Group.

" We were pleased to be involved in a New Zealand first and believe this is way of the future for field lighting in New Zealand. Keeping stakeholders informed and happy throughout ensured a successful installation at a great facility".

The trust's efforts over the years has seen a new 3000 seat grandstand facility and floodlights on site developed over recent years.

"The grandstand and floodlight development has been mooted for many years amongst various groups in the city and we're delighted to bring this idea to fruition" says Stadium Trust Chairman Ross Dallow.

The grandstand and floodlights compliment the award winning indoor arena on site that has played host to many events since opening including the New World Netball World Championships and several international concerts and performances.

Mr Wickham says these world-class facilities fill an important gap in Auckland's sporting and event sector - a boutique precinct ideal for groups of 2000-8000.

"Alongside our already successful indoor arena the wider site now offers some outstanding opportunities for indoor and outdoor festival promoters that we hope will bring new events to Waitakere".

27 May

NZTA releases $40 million for New Lynn works

Artist's impression showing Council’s concept for a more pedestrian-friendly Totara Ave West and Todd Triangle.

The final tick has been given to $40.14 million in New Zealand Transport Agency funding for major roading infrastructure work in New Lynn.

The funding enables Waitakere City Council to proceed with Stage 2 of its New Lynn Transit Oriented Development (TOD) programme, which includes building a major extension of Clark Street.

The 300m dual carriageway will extend Clark Street to the west from the Rankin/Totara Avenue intersection and then curve to the north to connect to Great North Road, crossing over the new rail trench. Landscaping will be a priority for the new roadway, which will bring the added benefit of pedestrian access between Totara Avenue West and the largely residential Ambrico Place on its opposite side.

The funding also allows for the redevelopment of Totara Avenue West and the adjoining Todd Triangle as a more pedestrian-friendly business area and focal point for the town centre.

The roading work is a key element of the new transportation network being delivered in New Lynn through the council's TOD project and is part of a wider vision of transforming New Lynn into a vibrant regional town centre.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says the emerging new New Lynn is the result of the persistence, passion and belief of many people, from different organisations, over many years.

"We are grateful to a number of organisations such as the NZTA who continue to support our vision for New Lynn's revitalisation," he says.

"This roading and regeneration work is an important next step in New Lynn's transformation from an under-performing suburban district to a dynamic urban environment like no other in New Zealand - an accessible, successful and inspiring place that people will be enthused to work, live and play in."

Work on the Clark Street extension and Totara Ave West will begin in early 2011 and is expected to be complete by mid-2012.

24 May

Create your own manga story or character and win

Make a Manga Competition is now open.

Waitakere Libraries' Make a Manga competition is back.

Now in its third year the competition, which is launched today, invites students to put their creative skills to the test by designing their own graphic novel or creating a special comic character.

Manga (pronounced mahn-ga) is a Japanese term for comic and is a particular style of graphic novel popular with young readers.

Over the past two years some impressive talent has been unearthed through the event.

Among them is first year winner Debbie Keal who won with her creation Whoah! Roscoe.

The former Green Bay High School says the competition ignited her interest in the genre that continues today and has now created her own online web-comic featuring Roscoe's adventure.

"Before that I wasn't a really big comic fan and hadn't read many of the manga-style graphic novels but I enjoyed drawing and saw it as a way to test my art skills.

"In the end it was the fun of developing the story that really got me hooked and I enjoyed the experience so much I've just carried it on to the web comic."

She updates the comic two or three times a week and has a small yet dedicated group of followers.

Now working, Debbie is no longer eligible to enter but was keen to be involved in some way and was delighted to be invited to create the posters for this year's competition.

Make a Manga 2010 is now open and features two age categories, 11-14 and 15-18, in each competition. Entries close on August 2.

For more information and competition guidelines go to Waitakere libraries.

Competition details:
Make a Manga
Must be between four and 16 pages long on no larger than A4 size paper. Can be black and white or colour, hand drawn, computer generated or made from photographs. The entry must set in Waitakere or feature it as a word in the story.
It must also include one of the following phrases: "Get to the library - QUICK!", "Should we check the Internet?" or "Ouch! Paper cut!"
The winners of each category win an PSP as well as prizes from the comic shop Heroes For Sale.

Create A Character
Only original characters can be used so that means NO copyrighted characters such as Batman, Superman, Naruto or Spiderman can be used.
The two winners receive an iPod Nano and prizes from Heroes for Sale.

The winning entries will be displayed in Waitakere Central Library and featured on the Waitakere Library and Information Services website.

18 May

Waitakere Libraries celebrate Samoan Language Week

Enjoy Samoan Language Week activities at your local library.

Programme schedule:

Find out about a career in the performing arts at the It Was All A Dream event in Massey on May 28.

Youth event lifts the lid on a performing arts career

Young people dreaming of a career in the performing arts can find out all about it at a job and training event in Massey Leisure Centre on 28 May.

It Was All A Dream is a careers information event with a difference, combining knowledge about how to get in to the industry with live action including performances by local bands, dancers and singers.

Aimed at youth aged 14-20 this free interactive event is hosted by Waitakere Community Action on Youth and Drugs (CAYAD), part of Waitakere City Council's Safe Waitakere unit and Massey Matters.

There will also be a chance for people to have a go at some activities including dancing, singing and sound engineering.

"This is a great way to educate and inform young people on the job and training options there are in performing arts in a fun way," says the council's youth advocate Cr Linda Cooper.

"There are lots of young people who aren't interested in traditional jobs but with real talents in performing arts, a growing industry that they can have a long term career in and this event will expose them to what is required to succeed."

Other highlights will be two performances featuring the latest dance trend of geeking, by the Mika Haka Foundation an organisation that encourages young people to transform their bodies and ignite their minds to a better life through performing arts and physical culture.

YMCA Massey will also incorporate its Raise Up N' Represent' hip hop dance night into the event. Massey has a strong hip hop dance crew culture which is evident at this well run youth fun night.

This event coincides with national youth week which runs 23-28 May.

Cr Cooper says the council's support of youth is demonstrated in several initiatives including the Global Cafe, SUSS-IT and the Waitakere City Youth Council.

"Through our youth council we give young people a voice at the council table and places like Global Cafe‚ and SUSS-IT not only provide practical support and a place to go but somewhere to foster their love of the arts."


What: It Was All A Dream
When: Friday, 28 May. 5.00pm -9.00pm
Where: Massey Leisure Centre, Westgate Drive, Massey.
Entry: Free

For more information about this event contact Linda 832 0431 txt 021 223 5181 or linda.shaw@waitakere.govt.nz.

3 May

Awards inspire students to turn trash into fashion

Queen Neptune by Rose Craigie took out the supreme award at last year's Schools Trash to Fashion® Awards.

Bush Babies and Deva Believers are among the categories in this year's Schools' Trash to Fashion® Awards - Waitakere's iconic rubbish to couture design contest for young people.

Run by Waitakere City Council in conjunction with the Keep Waitakere Beautiful Trust, this year's show is themed 'Journeys' and invites contestants to design original and inspiring costumes out of recycled, inorganic and organic materials.

The awards have become increasingly popular with organisers this year deciding to split them into two semi-final events, one each for the primary and senior sections.

The semi-finals mean judges can view the garments on the models rather than on a coat hanger.

"Trash to Fashion® provides a platform for students to learn to recycle and reduce waste while giving them the experience required to showcase their creative skills in a professional environment," says chair of the council's Culture and Community Committee, Judy Lawley.

"We all need to take sustainability and waste disposal messages more seriously and think about how we can reuse items instead of sending them to the landfill."

There is a broad range of categories for students to choose from.

The seniors' section includes a raft of genres from Tane Toa and male urban chic to Deva Believer, an organic category based on myth and legend. Primaries can choose between the colourful pageantry of Camelot or naturist options such as Octopus's Garden and Bush Babies.

Playcentre hosts a category for pre-schoolers drawn from the primary section. The Wild Out West section is created for and by entrants with intellectual challenges and the judges say some of the most ingenious creations come from this section.

Over 10 years the event has grown from a small community-based celebration fusing entertainment with the recycle concept to a major national arts/fashion event. Re-launched in 2007 as an event for students, the professionally produced stage show incorporates art, dance and music and has flourished beyond expectations.

"In our first year we had 70 entrants and last year we had more than 700 students involved in making the garments and learning about fabric technology and ecology," says Waitakere City Council arts manager Naomi McCleary.

"This year we have had enquiries from 25 schools that have never participated before so we are expecting another deluge of entries which is just fantastic."

The creative directors for the 2010 final award show are the acclaimed Red Leap Theatre Company recently returned from a successful international tour of its production The Arrival.

The programme's organisers say the success of this iconic programme is greatly assisted by the support received from The Trusts Charitable Foundation, Westpac, the hair design team at Cut Above and Unitec's Bachelor of Communication students.

Programme Dates:

Registrations - Primary Section: Close 11 June
Registrations - Senior Section: Close 1 July
Semi-finals - Primary: 2pm, 26 & 27 June, Peninsula Primary School
Semi-finals - Senior: 8:30am, 24 July, Henderson High School
Award Show: 4 & 5 September, Corban Estate Art Centre

For more information and entry and registration forms go to www.trashtofashion.co.nz.