2006 International Peace Festival - Feedback
Sharon Clair
Policy Analyst - Māori
NZNO
Vice President Māori
NZ Council of Trade Unions - Te Kauae Kaimahi
Subject: RE: Parihaka post festival
Kia ora, Parihaka
I simply loved it, you did a fantastic job, everything was without fault. All of the volunteers from the moment you entered the gate to leaving were so friendly and helpful. The organizers of Te Ao Marama stalls were just wonderful, they were very respectful and helpful and always there for you nothing was too much trouble. The stage performances were great, what can I say, KatchaFire I just love them so I stayed up just to see them they were fantastic. I managed to go to some presentations in the blue tent and the whare and I went to the rongoa tent and of course enjoyed the kai.
I attend a lot of conferences and presentations nationally and internationally and what I attended at Parihaka was right up there, the speakers were well versed in their topics, interesting, and the topics were relevant to today's world. I was very impressed and to top it all off I was at the rongoa tent when Whaea Olive was giving a free group healing session. So what a wonderful day.
Well done you have made a dream into a reality not an easy thing to achieve.
Dr Karen Barbour
Department of Sport and Leisure Studies
The University of Waikato
Tena koe Te Miringa
I hope you are all recovering from the busy organisation of the Parikaha Peace Festival, I appreciate the enormous work that everyone had put into the festival. I hope you were pleased with the event.
From my perspective as a performer and participant it was amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed myself over the weekend and appreciated the limited alcohol consumption, the friendly atmosphere, the family focus, the ka pai mussels and the hangi, the brisk splashes in the stream, and the lovely warm sense experience being on the land. From the heart wrenching performances of Fat Freddy's Drop to the Katchafire rendition of 'No woman no cry', I felt that that the festival was really positive. At all times I was aware of the history of Parihaka, and appreciated hearing more history from Bam Bam and other whanau of our group. I think the choice of performers and stalls was excellent and I will be there with my whole whanau next time.
I came down also to dance with Soul Speed, the Whaingaroa community dance theatre group (led by Ardre Foote) and we performed before Kora on Friday night. The experience of performing in front of the large audience at night was actually quite magical, when it could have been quite scary being in the midst of a concert audience. While performing we could all hear audience members shouting out and cheering! Quite a novel experience for a contemporary dancer! I'm not sure if you saw either of our performances, but the kaupapa of 'Te karanga Tohora' seemed to resonate for people at the festival. I was honored to perform in front of Te Ranui on Saturday afternoon. This experience was very emotional for me, and I think for us all.
Me te mihi nui
Karen
Te Rangi
Public Dreams Trust - "Making dreams reality"
Concerts, Festivals, Event Management, Pyrotechnics
Kia ora Te Miringa,
It's exciting to hear you are going ahead next January. You guys made such a huge investment in the project, it's an inspired idea to keep rollng with the momentum created by inaugural Parihaka 06's success.
In terms of event management training, you don't need any! In one go you guys went from zero to top of the class. There is no live-in NZ festival that can compare. Your team there is second to none. The best knowledge is gained from hands-on experience.
All the best for Parihaka 07 and have a nice break.
Regards,
Te Rangi