Soul on the Rock is finally launched
Tony and Mary, making it happen
The Avondale Civic Centre was packed to the max with visitors [mostly Auckland based Niueans,] on the day that Tony and Christina Fuemana launched their much planned and waited for Soul on the Rock. “It’s been four years in the planning,” Tony informed the visitors, “and here we are.”
They
came from all corners of Auckland, people of all shapes, sizes and ages, from as
far south as Waiuku and as far north as Kaiwaka, more out of curiosity for Niue,
but with respect and a general interest in the Fuemana siblings’ fame. “We have
always had an interest in the Fuemanas, and their musical talents,” said a
couple from Waiuku,” but we are curious about how they are going to promote our
beautiful island of Niue and if there are new things that we need to know.”
It was a star studded event, featuring performing artists – our own people who have made their mark in New Zealand’s musical scene.
“This
is an awareness initiative that has the full support of the Government of Niue,”
added Tony. “We have a beautiful island out there in the Pacific that is in dire
need of our support, encouragement and cherishment. Niue is, after all, an
important part of us – our heritage and our ancestral culture is nourished by
the committed few who have stayed to keep it whole for us, our children and our
descendants, to enjoy in years to come. Our target group was the 18-50 year olds
and I think we have managed to achieve that.”
Tony and Christina have been to Niue [Tony more often since 2004] to promote their ‘Soul on the Rock’ Project as a tribute to their father but mostly their multi-talented brother Phil Fuemana who died early last year whose vision to promote Niue as a living vibrant community. The Project is practically an awareness initiative, conceived by the Fuemana siblings in the hope that Niue as a living community is a worthwhile place to live-in and if nothing else a must-visit and viable tourist destination.
The scope of Soul on the Rock is optimistic but Tony and Christina thought it possible and preferable to keep Niue for its 20, 000 descendants currently living in New Zealand. “Niue is beautiful, unique, it is worth celebrating because it is ours,” said the affable Fuemana sister, Christina. “Right now we have other people doing what we should be. Even Air New Zealand has given us free return tickets to Niue, and we have an additional Television programme that has sparked a major interest about Niue Island from the wider community in New Zealand.”
Tony was most appreciative of the efforts by Mary Aue, whose services and dedication said Fuemana they could not have done without. There were others too that have continued to support the project during the planning stages through to the Launching.
“During the launching we gave over 700 Niue Island brochures to visitors and accepted 400 entries for the free trip to Niue. My team and I would like to thank these generous people, sponsors and companies for their contributions:
Tama Fuata Niue entertainers
The Government of Niue
Air New Zealand
Urban Pacifica
Niu FM
531pi
Remuera Copy and Print
Auckland City Council
Celebrtae Pacifica
The Fuemana Family
Dana Lama [Pakuranga Youth Centre]
Waka Prints
And Frank Sioneholo for carrying the flag for us in Niue.
Niue Village in the Pasifika Festival
The Niue Village at the 2006 Pasifika Festival at Western Springs was visited by at least most of the estimated 200 000 visitors who spent the day tasting Niuean prepared food, admiring and buying Niuean hats and baskets, and enjoying other items of cultural interest about Niue. There is no cultural event in New Zealand that offers this much exposure and general awareness about Niue and its people.
It was a beautiful day at Western Springs which judging by the number of visitors this cultural event is growing each year [the organizers estimated a crowd of 170,000 last year] and the Niue Village remains the Gateway to the Festival being located conveniently at the beginning of the clockwise movement around the Lake of the Swans.
“Today
you can try everything that we have to offer you courtesy of our beautiful
island of Niue,” invited Thomas Kauie from 531pi who was MC for the day.
“Everything that you see is for sale – the food, the artifacts but the smiles
that we have are free for the taking.”
Of special interest this year is the team from Niue: Ina Vakaafi with her nonu product, Misitau, Mrs Toe Hekau and their hand made Niuean crafts and Jack Feleti Afua with his array of beautifully carved ebony pieces.
The Ministerial Team from Wellington made Niue Village their first visit this year. Winnie Laban, Mark Goshe, Ruth Dyson, Mayor of Auckland Mr Dick Hubbard and their retinue paid a brief visit and mingled with the crowd before moving on to the next villages. The Mayor of Auckland is still very popular amongst Niueans.
The Marching parade that began in an orderly fashion eventually dissolved into a free for all melee in true Niuean style, for performers as well as the visitors. The stalls that were in the village area sold both food and Niuean craftware: baskets, hats, beads and plastic kahoa [garlands] which by the afternoon the food were completely sold out.
The Pacific Trade Fair
This was held at the Telstra Pacific Events Centre at Manukau. Our Niuean Team [mentioned above at the Pasifika Festival] featured in their own stalls sponsored by Reef Group and the events organizers, displaying and selling nonu, [BJ Rex and Ernest Nemaia]] ebony carvings [Jack Feleti ]and Niuean craftware [Mrs Hekau and Misitau].
The exhibits were dominated by the host country, Fijian, Samoan, Tahitian [mainly black pearls] who operated numerous stalls, selling products made locally in their individual islands. Participating countries included most of the Pacific Islands Forum Countries most of whom are self funded being private enterprises.
The two most popular stalls at the Trades Fair were Jack Feleti’s black ebony carvings and the Tahitian black pearls. The Niue Trade and Investment Officers, Ernest and Young Tony Kalauni were both there at the Niue Stall with Mrs Lofa Rex [Niue Chamber of Commerce] taking their turns in promoting Niue products.
March 16th 2006