And thanks also to staff of various departments of the city council whose usual "can do" attitude provided assistance and advise over the last three years to help ensure that the event proceeded smoothly.
The result of all this is a financial spin-off to the city estimated at upwards of one and a half million dollars.
Kevin Nally, Chairman of Organising Committee, Tauranga
Bag pipers thrill
Last Friday my 7-year-old daughter and I were heading up the Minden in Te Puna for a look see from the look out up there.
As we passed the turn off she heard a sound she hadn't heard and asked me to stop.
The sound became clearer and when she climbed up on the bonnet to have a look over the fence to the motel where the sound was coming from there was a huge smile of joy over her face.
There, on the other side, were a bunch of bag piping boys practising for a local competition.
We stayed and enjoyed the sweet sounds for a good while and the word that keep coming from her was: "Cool eh Dad?"
It was indeed a cool sight and sound that we could have watched from the bonnet of my car for ages. That's if the noise police or ngati whingers didn't shut them down at 8.30
Kia ora bag piping boys'n girls who gave my daughter a tumeke time - and a snapshot into your culture.
Tommy Kapai, Te Puna
When writing to us, please note the following:
•Letters should not exceed 200 words
•No noms-de-plume
•Please include your address and phone number (for our records only)
•Letters may be abridged, edited or refused at the editor's discretion
•The editor's decision to publish is final. Rejected letters are usually not acknowledged
•Local letters are given preference
•Email: editor@bayofplentytimes.co.nz
•Text: 021 241 4568 - Please start your message with BOP
