Applications now open for 2018 Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival observer programme.

There is a fantastic new opportunity for people with Māori whakapapa who study, work in or aspire to study or work in event management to take part in the 2018 Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival observer programme.

The festival is delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED), on behalf of Auckland Council, in partnership with mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau. This free and family-friendly festival showcases the unique Māori history, heritage and contemporary culture of Tāmaki Makaurau.

ATEED’s tailored observer programme provides an opportunity for Māori future event organisers, event management students and event professionals to see behind the scenes during the delivery of a major cultural festival – and keen applicants are now being sought.

The third annual festival takes place at the Viaduct Events Centre and Viaduct Harbour on Auckland Anniversary Weekend (27 – 29 January 2018), with the one-day observer programme happening on Saturday, 27 January.

Successful applicants will meet and talk with the festival production team, and attend a live brief in the on-site operations centre (OSOC), where all the key event staff meet to discuss the status of the event, any immediate issues and how to solve them.

They will go backstage to the ‘green room’, watch the stage manager in action and chat with the back of house coordinator; meet the stalls manager to get an overview of the importance of stall operating conditions and food safety; and get an insight into the event kaupapa.

ATEED’s major events observer and intern programmes helps to meet an Auckland Major Events Strategy objective to build capability in the local events industry.

People interested in taking part should email [email protected], and tell the team about themselves, their whakapapa, studies or work, and how taking part in the observer programme would benefit them. Taking part is free of charge, but participants are responsible for their own travel to and parking at the festival and any accommodation, if required.

Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday, 31 October and applicants will be notified by Friday, 1 December.

Click here for more information about the festival.

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For further information please contact
Chris Gregory
Media Manager