Cultures gather to plan for festival
Organisers heartened to see more youth involved
The Festival of Cultures meeting inviting the community to get involved went well, with around 20 membersof the community attending from a range of ethnicities in Katikati.
KatikatiCommuntyCentre manager Allan Wainwright is on the organising committee and said it wasa fantastic opportunity to share ideas with our community onhow to build on the success of the 2019 Festival of Cultures and secure volunteers to support the implementation of the event.
The Centre’s administration assistant Sally Goodyear is also on the committee. She said it was great to see young people stepping upand getting involved— not just on stage with the music and dancing, but also taking on leadership roles with the planning and organisation of the event.
“The event has supported ethnic youth to have increased pride in their cultural identity and opportunities to share and embrace their cultural heritage with others.”
Sally said feedback after the first festivalwas that participants wanted to see the event every year.
“However, it has been decided to alternate the event with Te Puke and hold the festival every second year in Katikati.”
The 2019 Festival of Cultureswas a finalist for Event Excellence in the 2020 TECTCommunityAwards. i
To register interest or to get involved email haidee.kalirai@ tauranga.govt.nz or phone the Katikati Community Centre, 549-0399.