Ceremonies begin with a karanga

The setting sun tinted the sky red, birds circled and waka are paddled ashore to a formal...
The setting sun tinted the sky red, birds circled and waka are paddled ashore to a formal greeting by Ngai Tahu kaumatua Michael Skerrett and watched by several hundred people on the Queenstown foreshore to open this year’s Queenstown Winter Festival. Photos: Stephen Jaquiery.
Two waka glided into a candle-lit beach to open the 43rd Queenstown Winter Festival yesterday.

Crewed by members of the Wakatipu Waka Ama Club and paddlers from Invercargill, the waka were called ashore in Queenstown Bay with a karanga.

Watched by hundreds of people lining the waterfront, the paddlers were welcomed by Ngai Tahu kaumatua Michael Skerrett and dignitaries including Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett and Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult.

The ceremony then moved across the bay to a stage in Earnslaw Park, where  the crowd warmly responded to a Maori and English rendition of Welcome to My World by Mr Skerrett and a stirring performance by Wakatipu High School’s kapa haka group.

Mrs Bennett told the crowd the resort was a place of four seasons, but "something special" in winter.

"This is our gateway, this is our jewel — we absolutely love this community."

Mr Boult said the group of locals who got together 43 years ago "to have a festival and have some fun" had created an enduring event that reflected the resort’s extraordinary cultural diversity.

The festival continues until Sunday night.

The setting sun tinted the sky red, birds circled and waka are paddled ashore to a formal...
The setting sun tinted the sky red, birds circled and waka are paddled ashore to a formal greeting by Ngai Tahu kaumatua Michael Skerrett and watched by several hundred people on the Queenstown foreshore.

Festival programme
FRIDAY

10am-10pm: Queenstown Village Rink open, Village Green

Noon: Business Lunch, Skyline Queenstown

Noon: Dodgeball Championships, Queenstown Bay

1pm: Queenstown Winter Meet, Lake Hayes Pavilion

5pm: Friday Night Party and Fireworks, Earnslaw Park

6pm: Fireworks Light Painting Photography Workshop, Earnslaw Park

7.40pm: Ice Hockey, Southern Stampede v Botany Swarm, Queenstown Ice Arena

9pm: Comedy Night, Queenstown Memorial Centre (Sold out)

 

SATURDAY

9am: Arts & Crafts Market, Queenstown Bay

10am-10pm: Queenstown Village Rink open, Village Green

10.30am: Mountain Bikes on Snow, the Remarkables

Noon: Saturday Sounds from The Locals, Burgers & Beers, Earnslaw Park

Noon: Day on the Bay featuring Birdman, Jet Sprints, Undy 500, Raft Race, Queenstown Bay

1pm, 2pm & 3pm: Kids DIY Workshops, Earnslaw Park

1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm: Adults DIY Workshops, Earnslaw Park

4pm: Opening of Night Skiing, including Suitcase Race and Bobsled Competition, Coronet Peak

6pm: Frankton Arm Cruise, TSS Earnslaw

6.50pm: Ice Hockey, Southern Stampede v Botany Swarm, Queenstown Ice Arena

7pm: Ball - Shanghai Nights, Queenstown Memorial Centre

8.20pm: Pecha Kucha Night Queenstown, Heritage Queenstown, Fernhill

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement