We <3 Aotearoa is a group of friends from around the world who found themselves based in Auckland as COVID-19 spread throughout the globe.
Whilst being here they have been overwhelmed by the Manaakitanga and Aroha they have received from the people of Aotearoa.
These events are a thank you to the people of New Zealand for being so kind and welcoming, and also an acknowledgment of the hard work that ‘the team of 5 million’ have gone through to get us to where we are now.
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WH?NAU FUN DAY
15 Aug 2020, 11 am – 3 pm
Shed 10 + The Cloud
(ALL AGES)
Live music and performances, Silent Disco, Animal Cycle Roller Rink,
Blake NZ VR, games, interactive art installations, workshops, drift cars and sports stars + more…
WE ? AOTEAROA
15 Aug 2020, 4.30 pm – 11 pm
Shed 10 + The Cloud
(R18)
Licensed bars, food trucks and performances from The Black Seeds, Ladi6, Leisure, Jessb, Clicks, Sola Rosa, Frank Booker, Flamingo Pier (Live),
Tina Turntables.
Tickets available from July 27th
Please note attendance to both events is FREE!
Wh?nau Fun Day event – RSVP required through the Facebook event page
There will be QR codes and onsite registration forms for contact tracing.
WE ? AOTEAROA night event will be ticketed,
first release available on Monday, July 27th via
On Saturday, August 15th a special, two-part event will take place at Auckland’s Queens Wharf. To celebrate Aotearoa’s tremendous efforts to moderate the impact of COVID-19, a range of activities, performances, and workshops will take place across The Cloud and Shed 10.
For the Wh?nau! From 11 am – 3 pm, enjoy a carnival of live music and performances, food trucks, workshops and activities including Silent Disco, Animal Cycle Roller Rink, Blake NZ VR (virtual reality) experience, interactive art installations and much more! Drift-racing legend Darren Kelly and international racecar driver Alex Riberas will be on-site (along with their cars) to chat with fans, sign autographs, and take pictures.
For the adults! From 4.30 pm onwards, come get down and groovy to celebrate Aotearoa with live performances from The Black Seeds, Ladi6, Leisure, JessB, Clicks, Sola Rosa, Frank Booker, Flamingo Pier (Live) and Tina Turntables. Taking place across two stages, the live shows will be accompanied by licensed bars and food vendors where you can purchase drinks, delicious kai, and enjoy amazing features throughout The Cloud. You won’t want to miss it!
Keep Aotearoa clean
This event is supported by Sustainable Coastlines and has been carefully curated to have minimal impact on the environment. Enjoy workshops, demonstrations and learn about how you can make an impact through sustainable living!
Support local
Enjoy a sprawling selection of local food trucks and bars; Good Karma Coffee, Hangi Master, Sweet As Bowl, Double Dutch Fries, Sabores, Crepes Creations, Lalele Organic Gelato, Thai Kitchen, Jo Bros Burgers, Wise Boys Burgers and The Rolling Pin. We encourage you to bring your own reusable cups and containers however, compostable packaging will be available and encouraged for all participating food vendors!
Music & Entertainment
Throughout the day, enjoy pop-up performances from the likes of East Cook Islands group, Ng? Rangatahi Toa, Guggemusik, Drag Queens Kita Mean and Anita Wigl’it and Freshman’s Dance crew. In the evening We ? Aotearoa present; The Black Seeds, Ladi6, Leisure, JessB, Clicks, Sola Rosa, Frank Booker, Flamingo Pier (Live) and Tina Turntables.
Activities
Attendees of all ages can enjoy a plethora of activities throughout the day including Silent Disco, Animal Cycle Roller Rink, 3 Ring Riot Circus workshop, interactive art installations, VR provided by BLAKE NZ, games and eco workshops.
NG? RANGATAHI TOA
Ng? Rangatahi Toa has been nationally and internationally recognised for its social-justice-based education work and Creative Youth Development (CYD) work for young people. Our immersive and intensive programmes use creative arts and wellbeing programmes to help connect rangatahi with their purpose and to imagine a positive future for themselves.
https://www.ngarangatahitoa.co.nz/
BLAKE
The Sir Peter Blake Trust (BLAKE) was established in 2004 and is dedicated to continuing his environmental leadership legacy. Each year BLAKE aims to inspire thousands of young New Zealanders to care for the environment through activities and adventures that encourage environmental awareness and leadership, and instill a deeper sense of kaitiakitanga within them.
THE HEART OF RACING
The Heart of Racing is a program that drift driver Darren Kelly represents in the D1NZ New Zealand Drifting Championship. Since inception, The Heart of Racing has successfully merged their love of auto racing with raising money for children. The Heart of Racing and Team Seattle race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in America. Together they raise funds for the Seattle Children’s Hospital Guild and spread awareness of the financial needs of quality pediatric medical care. The Heart of Racing proudly supports Darren Kelly, and their involvement in D1NZ is a win for every kiwi.
https://www.heartofracingteam.com/
The story:
A group of friends from all over the world embarked on a 10-day adventure to explore the amazing beauty New Zealand has to offer. As the trip came to an end in mid-March, COVID-19 cases were on the rise globally and they were faced with a decision to make. The country was about to go into lockdown, giving the group just 48 hours to decide whether they would stay in Aotearoa or go back to their respective countries where the situation was far worse. Lo and behold, the friends are still happily safe in T?maki Makaurua four months later.
The friends are amazed at how quickly the New Zealand government acted and how ‘the team of 5 million’ came together to get the job done. They are incredibly appreciative and humbled by the manaakitanga they have been shown. “Personally I feel so grateful and welcomed,” says Teagan from Ontario, Canada. The group is made up of people from several countries including Spain, Australia, Taiwan, England, The Philippines, France, The United States, South Africa and more.
The idea for the celebration began one night in lockdown – joking about having a cool “kiwi band” play at Silo Park. We?Aotearoa & Wh?nau Fun Day was born from an abundance of ideas to say thank you to the team of 5 million, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her team, and to celebrate all that is Aotearoa.
The group collaborated on everything for the celebration; from food, community and charity groups and of course the artists, fully committed to supporting local. They have been going back and forth with ideas for weeks.
“You guys are so awesome, we want to celebrate you, and say thank you so much.” says Molly from Liverpool, England, “we hope you will come and enjoy the day and evening with us.”
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