50thbirthday celebrations a cracker

In all, there was a lot of positivity around Porirua.

Porirua’s 50th year was a splendid one.

To celebrate the city reaching its milestone of 20,000 people in 1965, Porirua City Council put plans in place for birthday celebrations to be proud of. And they have been a resounding success.

The year started off slow, with the Festival of the Elements and Creekfest displaying the distinctive black 50th logo, along with other livery, but the momentum gathered.

Drink bottles, key rings, wristbands and T-shirts were worn by mayor Nick Leggett, councillors and council staff, who used social media to promote the birthday message.

The logo quickly became part of the city’s background in 2015.

Pataka was central to the 50th theme, running brilliant historical exhibitions.

Porirua Anzacs at Gallipoli, Made in Porirua and We Built This City were well-attended and excellent showpieces for residents and visitors to the city to immerse themselves in.

Neil and June Penman’s comprehensive A Portrait of Porirua book could have been released last year, but was delayed to coincide with the 50th celebrations.

It now adorns hundreds of bookshelves and coffee tables around the city and much wider afield.

To cap off the year, Porirua City Council hosted a fabulous dinner at Te Rauparaha Arena on October 3.

Fifty individuals or couples were given special 50th medals to mark their service to the city.

In all, there was a lot of positivity around Porirua in its 50th year. Long may it continue.