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WINNER OF THE PRESTIGIOUS 2006 WELLINGTON AIRPORT COMMUNITY AWARD

 
Welcome to the official website for New Zealand’s
FESTIVAL OF THE ELEMENTS
Waitangi Day, Porirua City
Elsdon Park & Mana College Grounds
 

Welcome to another Porirua Festival of the Elements! I’m looking forward to Waitangi Day on February 6 when once again this now famous one-day festival will offer a superb programme of arts and culture.

This year we have a new home. We’ve enjoyed six wonderful years at Te Rauparaha Park, but with the construction of the new Sports and Events Centre we’ve moved onto new sites.

The 2008 Festival will be centred at Elsdon Park and Mana College grounds – still good central Porirua locations that provide new opportunities for the Festival programme.


The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra

The Elsdon Park site is bigger than Te Rauparaha Park, so we have been able to set aside an area where people can set up their own chairs and umbrellas.

This year we will not have our usual night programme or fireworks, but there will be a stronger emphasis on top-line entertainment during the day-time programme. It will run through to six o’clock in the evening, providing plenty of time for late afternoon picnics!

On a sad note, we recently lost our long standing Festival treasurer Helen Smith, who passed away on Boxing Day.

Helen had been actively involved with organising the Festival since its inception in 1992. She was a previous Chair and then Treasurer of the Porirua Community Arts Council (Inc), and over the years had become regarded as the Matriarch of the Festival.

Her contribution to the Festival was a magnificent voluntary effort, and her dedication and tireless commitment will be sorely missed.

This Festival continues to be a non-profit event, organised by the Porirua Community Arts Council. I’m happy to say entry is still free.

Past festivals have attracted up to 30 thousand people, and we expect big crowds again on February 6 to enjoy a premiere event that truly reflects New Zealand’s cultural and ethnic diversity.

The Festival of the Elements remains a great day out! Don’t miss it!


Festival Chairman
Bob Cater

Read more about the Chairman



“The Festival of the Elements just seems to get better and better. Everyone I spoke to was thoroughly enjoying themselves. We are getting national news coverage as one of the key events now on Waitangi Day in the Wellington region." Jenny Brash, Mayor of Porirua City.

“I have been involved in many festivals over the years, but I wanted to put on record that the Festival of the Elements was the most relaxed, enjoyable and best organised of any.” Gary McCormick, Christchurch.

 

 

Bookmark this site to keep up to date with all the latest developments for the
2008 Festival of the Elements - to be held in Elsdon Park and Mana College Grounds.

Contact:
Festival Coordinator: Margaret Armour
Webmistress:  Nicola Kane