Rotorua, Performance at the "Civic Centre", 6th April 2001

Rotorua, Performance at the "Civic Centre", 6th April 2001 Mr & Mrs Alan Birtwistle organised at very short notice an open-air recital under the shade of the wide awning gracing Rotorua's Civic Centre. We played, in bright sunshine, virtually the same programme as recital given in Auckland a few days previously but it was especially poignant when we played "Pokarekare Ana", part of the A Maori Medley, which we had arranged in honour of this tour.
For those not in the know, "Pokarekare Ana", is widely considered to be New Zealand's most cherished national song. The present-day version is adapted from a poem by Paraire Henare Tomoana (1868-1946) and starts like this:
Pokarekare ana nga wai o Rotorua. Whiti atu koe, e hine marino ana e.
(Troubled are the waters of Rotorua. If you cross them maiden, they will be calm)
It was just great to perform this item in its spiritual home.

Alan Birtwistle royally entertained us at the Rotorua Returned Servicemen's Association Club on the evening prior to the concert and his wife rewarded our efforts with a short tour around Rotorua and tea on the shores of Lake Rotorua. We also give thanks to Jenni & Barry Harford, proprietors of Fernleaf Motel, Rotorua who gave us warm support during the concert as well as to the spectators who humorously observed our struggles with the fresh breeze which literally sucked the air out of our instruments and our subsequent retreat into their midst.

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