Take the day off: Mayor

‘‘It’s a day off work, but it will be worth it,’’ says mayor John Leggett, encouraging Marlborough’s ‘‘nine-to-fivers’’ to take a day’s leave to watch the Tuia 250 commemorations in Picton.

‘‘This is months and months in the making, we want to see the whole community come together,’’ Leggett said. ‘‘You’ll never get another opportunity like this.’’

The Tuia 250 flotilla arrives in Picton on Friday, kick-starting a full weekend of events to mark 250 years since the first onshore meetings between Ma¯ori and Pa¯ keha¯ .

To¯taranui 250 Trust cochairman Raymond Smith echoed Leggett’s message, describing the arrival of the flotilla as ‘‘a-once-ina-lifetime opportunity’’.

‘‘The journey of the flotilla is something that has bound us together, it’s a dual cultural component of New Zealand,’’ Smith said.

‘‘Some of our iwi members are on board the waka and we can’t wait to hear about their experiences . . . really I want to see the smiles on our children and grandchildren as they’re gathering to watch the flotilla.’’

The flotilla consists of five boats: the Fa’afaite i te Ao Ma¯ ’ohi from Tahiti, Captain James Cook’s HMB Endeavour replica, student training vessel the Spirit of New Zealand, and tradition Ma¯ori waka Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti and Haunui.

Although it was touch and go at the moment for the Tawhiti, which was in Port Taranaki for repairs.

To¯taranui 250 Trust general manager Chrissy Powlesland said she was relieved the weather forecast was looking good for the weekend, which she hoped would draw an even bigger crowd to Picton.

‘‘There’s moments this week where I’ve been quite nervous, but it’s been a privilege to help organise an event like this.’’

The Fa’afaite i te Ao Ma¯ ’ohi had arrived in the Marlborough Sounds earlier than expected due to travelling faster than the other vessels and the crew had been enjoying the manaaki, or hospitality, of locals, Powlesland said.

‘‘They [Fa’afaite] really add that South Pacific magic,’’ she said.

Powlesland said there were three days of jam-packed events for the public to enjoy, including a street food market, a night-time lights installation projected onto the Picton war memorial and a free Fly My Pretties concert on Picton foreshore.

While Powlesland wasn’t giving too much away on the lights show, it was expected to be ‘‘mesmerising’’.

‘‘It’s one of those things that’s a surprise in delight,’’ Powlesland said.