This year is shaping up well, with lots of awesome things happening in and around Porirua.
The Symphony at the Lagoon held in January was a great success and I’m keen for this free family friendly evening to become an annual cultural event. It showcased local young talent the Virtuoso Strings Orchestra, who played alongside Orchestra Wellington, with the big guns – cannons –ending the evening with a bang.
This year we’re marking the 25th anniversary of the Waitangi Day Festival of the Elements, which celebrates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and the rich multi-cultural society that makes up Porirua city.
There’ll be more local and regional music coming up later this month with the Summer Concert Series at Aotea Lagoon from 17–19 February, with the first night featuring Aotea College’s jazz band.
The Porirua Grand Traverse on 2 April will see the city buzzing with a sporty type of energy as multi-sport enthusiasts take on the challenge, while checking out some of Porirua’s amazing scenery. There’ll also be individual races and a Fun/Run Walk event for anyone who wants to give it a go. I’m going to be part of a team entering the multi-sport race, so am doing some mountain bike training in the lead-up to the event.
The Aotea splash pad will be launched later this year and, although it’s a little late for the summer season, will provide another great free family friendly destination for Porirua residents for many years to come.
It’s great to see our dynamic city evolving. Late last year we installed a time capsule at Baxter’s Knob lookout, with photos, videos, newspapers, plans and artefacts from the past. The capsule captured some important early memories of Aotea and a number of groups and individuals provided their predictions and visions for Porirua’s future. One of our younger residents, Olivia Hoffmann, helped me install the time capsule and I’m hoping that she’ll be in the area and part of the re-opening when that happens in another 50 years or so.
We’re on the cusp of something big, with heaps of exciting projects in the pipeline and happening in Porirua. The opening of the Countdown in Aotea is just the start – watch this space.
If you see me out and about come and say hi and have a chat – it’d be great to meet you.
1 Feb 2017
