Tigilau Ness, of Auckland, performs at the Picnic in the
City Waitangi Day event in the Octagon, Dunedin, yesterday.
Photo by Jane Dawber.
About 100 people gathered in the Octagon, Dunedin,
yesterday to share music and education, and celebrate Waitangi
Day.
Picnic in the City featured musicians and an open-mike forum
for people to share their thoughts.
Organiser Marcia Cassidy said the day was about promoting
talking together and "creating a forum where people can ask
questions about what's going on in the country".
It was important for people to learn about the history of New
Zealand and the Treaty of Waitangi, as well as celebrate as a
community, no matter what their ethnic background, she said.
Fellow organiser Pip Laufiso said it was important to share
information about the treaty, why and how it was signed, what
impact it had, and why it was still relevant today.
"The majority of young people go through our education system
not knowing about the treaty," she said.
She was also "proud" Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull continued the
tradition of flying the Tino rangatiratanga flag on the Civic
Centre.
Musician and activist Tigilau Ness travelled from Auckland to
be part of Picnic in the City.
It was the first time he had performed in Dunedin and said
the day was all about "one love".
"It's wonderful to be in this part of Aotearoa New Zealand on
our special birthday," he said.
- ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz
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