Sons of Zion to headline free community concert

The beats of reggae band Sons of Zion will be heard at Kuirau Park to celebrate a name change for Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology's student association.

Renamed Student Pulse following the merger between Waiariki Institute of Technology and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, the free celebration is at Kuirau Park from 4pm today. Event co-ordinator April O'Brien said Sons of Zion was the first choice for the event, and they were happy the band agreed to perform.

"It's amazing, I got in touch with their manager via Facebook and everything fell into place ... I'm excited as it's our first big national band coming to Rotorua. We're stepping our game up."

As well as Sons of Zion, ex-Toi Ohomai student Stella Maris, and musicians from the Toi Ohomai Academy of Music are performing.

Student Kelly Robert said she would be volunteering at the event and was looking forward to seeing Sons of Zion.

"Their music is good and it's a good genre."

Stephanie Thomson, Student Pulse manager, said they wanted to encourage people attending to bring along a tin of canned food to be given to the Salvation Army foodbank.

"Our students get referred to the Salvation Army foodbank so we wanted to give back."

At the event coffee and food stalls would be set up, as well as information booths such as NZ Enrol from the electoral commission.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay said his team would have a stall at the concert.

"I think the name change is great. The student association is really engaged with the students, and we have a strong working relationship with them."

Miss O'Brien said Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell would also attend.

Student Pulse president Virgil Iraia said getting Sons of Zion as the headline act was fantastic.

"We invite the community to come along and be involved in our festivities."

Mr Iraia said students were open to the name change.

"We didn't want an acronym, we wanted something neutral and that captured what we do for students ... we might have a new name, but we have a long history of supporting students."

What: Student Pulse community concert featuring Sons of Zion, Stella Maris and Toi Ohomai Academy of Music
Where: Kuirau Park
When: Friday from 4pm
Cost: Free, but bring along a can of food for the Rotorua Salvation Army.