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Hamilton’s first Garden Place Waitangi Day drew the crowds

TE KATA l photographer

TE KATA l photographer

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 
 
A good natured crowd – estimated at around 10,000 – filled Hamilton’s Garden Place and overflowed along Victoria Street to watch the free concert that ended the city’s new-look Waitangi Day event.

Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock welcomed Australian Idol Contest winner Stan Walker onto the stage, as a returned son of the city and got a resounding yes reply from the crowd when he asked them if they agreed that the event was a good way to spend Waitangi Day.      

The 18 year old soul singer – the final act of the event – is a former Hamilton Boys High School student with whanau in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. During his 30 minutes on stage he paid tribute to the event’s organisers and supporters, urged the crowd to support the Tear Fund’s Haiti appeal (his nominated charity) and talked of his strong Christian faith.      

Whakatane soul singer Maisey Rika and Nga Puhi reggae band, 1814, got an enthusiastic reception from the relaxed crowd that had built to capacity during the late afternoon.      

Three outdoor broadcast screens provided a continuous close-up view of the stage north and south along Victoria Street – which was closed from 5pm to midnight – and into central Garden Place.      

Hamilton Police, contract security personnel and Te Runanga o Kirikiriroa event organisers have praised the mainly young crowd – which included large numbers of families with young children – for their patience when the programme got delayed and for observing the drug and alcohol and smoke free rules. More Hamilton Waitangi Day News and photos