Council puts Haka through hoops

Kings Cross saw an impromptu performance last Thursday by Kapa Haka, a performance group visiting Sydney to celebrate New Zealand’s Waitangi Day which fell on Saturday.

The group’s, deep, rich harmonies immediately drew a small crowd as it went through several songs and a Haka.

But before they could perform, City of Sydney regulations required each of the 18 performers to register and pay $11 for a busker’s licence on the day they arrived in Australia. In addition they needed a dispensation to perform as the rules forbid more than five people performing.

This meant a long and complex process before they could begin their program of busking every day in the city until they left early this week. The performers said that, despite the difficulties, Council staff had been as helpful as possible.

The group also had gigs at Merrylands and at the Maori Anglican Church in Redfern.

Waitangi Day celebrates the original treaty between between Maori and the British 170 years ago and is marked by celebrations across New Zealand and anywhere New Zealand expats have settled.

by Michael Gormly