Click photo to enlarge
Araiteuru marae council chairwoman Noi Hudson (left), past
chairman John Broughton and life member Valerie Walker
celebrate the 30th birthday of the marae with decorative
hats. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
They might not have given much shade from the sun, but
the party hats worn at Araiteuru marae in Dunedin on Waitangi
Day left no doubt it was a birthday celebration.
It was the marae's 30th birthday and about 400 people
commemorated the milestone by wearing decorated hats and
flying flags.
Marae council chairwoman Noi Hudson said she was wearing the
most impractical hat of the day, made completely from
cardboard, and the medals she had won in Darts at the Masters
Games in recent years.
The idea came to her because the games were celebrating their
21st birthday, and medal winners were allowed to wear their
medals only during the event each year, she said.
"I might as well wear them out in public while I can," she
said.
"It doesn't keep the sun off very well, but it'll hold me
down in a gale."
Celebrations began with a mihiwhakatau (official welcome) and
activities included kapa haka, games, sports, live music and
a game of It's In The Bag with prizes.
john.lewis@odt.co.nz
