Date: Sat 9th September 2006 Venue: The Waitakere Trusts Stadium

PRESS RELEASE

People came from the north east south and west. The Ngapuhi Kuia & Kaumatua Ball 2006 was a night to remember.. 300 people braved the cold weather, they shone their shoes, slicked their hair and came dressed looking like every bit like royalty.

Queen & King of the Kuia & Kaumatua Ball 2006, Saana Murray & Herewini Murupaenga

To View photos of the Ngapuhi Ball Highlights

The ball was held at The Trusts Stadium, with the band "Blast from the Past" dancing the crowd down memory lane!

VIP's, Sonny Tau, the Chairman for "Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngapuhi" was present, with New Zealand First MP Pita Parone, Maori Party MP, Hone Harawira, Labour Party Candidate and Councilor Judy Lawley, and a sneak guest appearance of Waitakere City Mayor, Bob Harvey!

The Ball was organized by "Te Taurahere A Iwi O Ngapuhi Ki Waitakere", who
enlisted the events expertise of Ezekiel 33 Trust, who are also the event organizers for "Whanau Day Out".

To View more Photos of the Ngapuhi Kaumatua Ball 2006.

Stephanie Harawira, of Ezekiel 33 Trust said "I love organizing The Kaumatua Ball. It is one of my favorite events because it's gives me a chance to really go all out to make our old people feel special. That's why we bring in the thrones, the gold drapes and columns, the beautifully feathered sashes and crowns, with all the big bouquets. It's a great feeling to host our elderly and make them feel like a million bucks. Some of these people are widowers, and this event is the only time they actually get up, get dressed and come out! The simplicity of crowning 2 people, and acknowledging them, I had the Queen crying because she was so moved by the whole occasion. Ezekiel 33 Trust does events like this .. Because we can touch people's lives and that's the blessing of what motivates and inspires us.

We hosted our first Kuia and Kaumatua Ball in 2005 and that was a huge success. The Ball is an awesome way in which we can reach into our communities and bring our senior people together to celebrate who we are as a people and to make them loved and appreciated. This event whilst mainly aimed for our Ngapuhi Kuia Kaumatua, saw people from every tribe and nation, come all with the same vision and enthusiasm wanting to be a part of the celebrations".

To View photos of the Ngapuhi Ball Highlights .

For more information on Ezekiel 33 Trust events, people can visit the website www.ezekiel33.org.nz/portal/.