Waitangi Day - Origins Festival 2010 Waitangi Day Origins Festival 2010 to showcase fire dancers and a search for the district’s best local marae singer It may be our fourth Waitangi Day festival in a row but organisers say this event is anything but a repeat of past years’ events. Fire eaters and fire dancers, along with a competition to find the finest voice from the region’s marae or ethnic group are planned. Co-ordinator Jonathan Hooker said marae and other cultures had got behind an idea to do Kiwi Karaoke with a Difference – pitting the region’s best marae singers against one another while allowing room for local ethnic groups to also participate. So far over half the marae in the region were putting forward two of their best representatives and the Filipino community had also shown interest in the event, Mr Hooker said. Other cultures based in the Wairarapa are being urged to contact Masterton District Council to announce their intention to compete, Mr Hooker said. While that might keep the older sector of the audience enthralled, the younger set will be speechless when they see the fire eating and fire breathing from Nelson-based newcomers to the festival FlamingManiacs (photographed). The Whareama School kapahaka group will also perform, the first time a school group has taken to the stage on Waitangi Day. As with other years, the Aaminah Belly Dance Troupe will perform. On the kai side, a hangi and boil-up are planned, as well as Thai Takeaway and Siam Kitchen. It is also likely Indian fare and other ethnic food will be on the multi-cultural mouth-watering menu, Mr Hooker said. As with past years, Whaiora Whanui will provide information stalls, as will Family Planning, New Pacific Studio, Red Cross. Arrow FM will broadcast live on the day. Classic Hits 90.1FM and NewstalkZB 846AM are the exclusive promoters of the 2010 event. Mr Hooker said there was room for hundreds of families and groups and picnics, rugs and deck-chairs were welcome. • The Waitangi Day Wairarapa Origins Festival begins later this year, at 3pm but will be held at the usual venue - Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton. 2008 Photos