Pasifika festival on Saturday
Northland's Pasifika Fusion Festival returns to Whangarei on Saturday for the third year, with plenty of food and entertainment on offer. The festival, organised by Fale Pasifika (the Northland Pacific Islands Charitable Trust) is hosted this year by the district's Fijian community. The ceremonial opening will start at 9am with a traditional Maori welcome, a kava ceremony and the official opening by festival patron Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai at 10am. The festival offers the community a fun-filled, free, family event and will include a huge variety of delicious, healthy food on offer, a full programme of stage performances, demonstrations and information and education sharing opportunities. Che Fu will make a guest appearance at the festival this year.
Cultural extravaganza
The Te Ahuareka Festival, a two-day cultural extravaganza celebrating community, will be held for the sixth time on March 10 and 11. As with the previous festivals, the event will be held at Otiria Marae and is expected to attract thousands. The Friday will deliver entertainment by schools, kohanga reo and early childhood centres with a free concert featuring Troy Kingi, Ruia Aperahama, Fat 32 and Ngati Hine's favourite son, Te Huaki Punaki, planned for early Friday evening. Saturday brings more of the same but better with senior kapa haka, bands, hip-hop, whakapapa sessions and Tautohetohe. For further information email tapeka-h @yahoo.com
Collection volunteers wanted
The Child Cancer Foundation urgently needs volunteers in Whangarei to support its street collection on March 17 and 18. There are a number of collection sites in Whangarei and any community members who can give just a couple of hours of their time will make a huge difference. Schools or businesses can also "adopt" a collection site in their local area for one or both days and involve staff, students and parents in this event. People interested in volunteering as collectors can register at www.childcancer.org.nz or call 0800 424 453 to be connected with their local organiser.
Retirement tips at seminar
The Retirement Commission is running a free seminar in Whangarei next month to provide information and help answer some of the questions people have. The seminar includes practical tips and advice, so people can make informed decisions before they sign on the dotted line. The commission stresses it is not a marketing event. The 90-minute seminars are supported by the Retirement Villages Association and experienced lawyers. Registering is essential by ringing 0800 268 269 or online at www.eventfinda.co.nz/2017/thinking-of-living-in-retirement-village/whangarei. The event starts at 11.30am, March 3, at Whangarei RSA.