Rockin’ party heralds 2003
by Elaine Clark, Gisborne herald
Gisborne’s Town Clock Party was a wonderful melting pot as about 10,000 of the city’s diverse population came together to welcome in 2003 on Tuesday night.
Good fun, great music and lots of hugs and kisses were the order of the hour as revellers rocked into the New Year with a spectacular line-up of local artists.
The Tuia Festival’s Town Clock Party, synonymous with good clean fun and family values, hit the mark again this year.
The warmth of Gisborne’s rich multicultural diversity was appreciated as the main street was packed. Families were a major part of the audience and the acts appealed to all ages.
Senior Sergeant Maui Aben, of Gisborne Police, said the Town Clock Party was a huge success. By 2am only two "lock-ups" had been made and these incidents were not within the cordoned off area between Grey Street and Bright Street.
"The concert was excellent," said Mr Aben.
"Crowd behaviour was exceptional, with only a few people given warnings. The liquor ban has been really effective.
"In general, people will empty a drink if asked to by police. If they refused to, then police can issue them with a $200 liquor infringement offence notice. A warning is usually enough to bring most people in line."
The Town Clock Party is now an institution and a safe place for families to celebrate the New Year.
Tuia Festival organisers of the Town Clock Party, Darryl Monteith and Kerry Donovan joked that the concert was complete chaos, but in the end things came together perfectly.
Mr Monteith’s band Starfish got the crowd pumping shortly before the countdown and then continued their repertoire of crowd-pleasing rock until about 1am.
Host Treva Rice wooed and charmed the audience with his wit and singing talent.
Special guests were Mayor Meng Foon, Super 12 player Rico Gear and Miss Gisborne Jacquie May Clark, who made her first public appearance.
Ms Donovan said the first act of the night, Howard went down really well with the crowd. Winners of the Count Down to the Clock contest, Howard performed remarkably as this was their biggest stage to date and the audience response was fantastic.
Wellington-based dance troupe Sirens, featuring former Gisborne girl Renee Peipi, thrilled the crowd with their spectacular variety act.
The crowd was also treated to the talents of Kit Higgins, Lesley Niania and Itchy Fingers, Colin Taare and Moana Keith.
Ms Donovan said the success of the concert was a credit to the local performers.
Organising the concert was a huge effort and the Eastland Energy Community Trust was the biggest sponsor.
Other sponsors included Tairawhiti Polytechnic, Classic Hits ZG FM, The Hair Shop and Rainbow Fast Foods, who supplied refreshments for organisers and entertainers.
The multi-talented leader, Ms Donovan continued organising and sorting out glitches with baby Jackson on her hip.
She said the crew of about 50 men, who worked through Monday night and Tuesday to erect the enormous stage deserved a huge thanks for their awesome effort.