Merle Walker is the superhuman behind many of our big community events here in Turanganui-a-Kiwa. Town Clock parties, Walter Findlays Fire in the Sky, last year’s Kiwiana Christmas Wonderland events to name just a few of them. This week we all get to enjoy another of Merle’s efforts in the form of Tū Whitia | Stand and Shine - a community event being held to commemorate Cyclone Gabrielle and the resilience of the communities and Iwi of Te Tairāwhiti.
This Saturday you’re all invited to the Soundshell for what sounds like a heap of fun!
Merle has done a great job lining up some fantastic entertainment to cater to a very diverse range of tastes. The local lineup includes the winners of last year’s Smokefree Rockquest ‘Dad’s Garage’, who will play alongside another rangatahi band Eleventh Hour, local favourites the Volt Thieves, Oceanspace, Rob and Alley Matete, DJ Murdarah and the Gisborne Brass Band. Scribe and Tami Neilson are heading to Turanga to headline the day, both generously waiving some of their fees to support the kaupapa and show their aroha for our community.
There will be heaps to keep the kids happy with face painting, bouncy castles, water slides and treasure hunts. Pukus will be catered to by food vendors and a free sausage sizzle, and for the frothy and active amongst us, Primal Fitness have a treat in store!
Merle says that when she was wondering about what kind of fun she could add into the mix, she immediately thought of ‘Top Town’, the iconic travelling game show that screened on local television from 1976 to 1990. While health and safety wouldn’t allow for half of the physical challenges that the teams from across rural New Zealand engaged in for that series, Brian Horwell at Primal Fitness has put together a super fun Top Town event that will prove entertaining for participants and spectators alike!
If you’d like to enter a Top Team team, register at the event by 3:30pm.
Tū Whitia | Stand and Shine runs from 3 - 8pm, at the Gisborne Soundshell. It’s for the whole family, so don’t forget the sunscreen, your warmies, and leave your smokes, vapes and alcohol at home.
Free buses will be running from Tokomaru and Tolaga Bays:
Departing Tokomaru Four Square at 2pm, returning 8:45pm.
Departing Tolaga Fire Station at 2:45pm, returning 8:45pm.
See you there whānau!
