2003 Waipa Networks Rose & Cultural Festival
22nd October - 9th November 2003

Another annual festival of art, culture and roses has come to a close.

The 2003 programme followed a familiar theme to previous years, culminating in Rose Sunday on November 9th. Notable this year was the return of the Miss Rosetown Pageant and the addition of the Te Wananga Fun Day.

22nd October - Opening Night

The 2003 Waipa Networks Rose & Cultural Festival was officially opened in a ceremony at Burcell Pavillion on Wedesday 22nd Ocober.

Festival sponsors and participants heard details about the upcoming programme from principle organisers Dean Taylor and Roz Liddell.

Waipa Mayor Alan Livingston thanked the festival organisers and sponsors for making the event possible. This is the first time the district council has contributed financially to the festival and Mr. Livingston reiterated the council's support.

Waipa Networks General Manager Ray Milner noted how lucky Te Awamutu is to have a large number of motivated people to make these initiatives happen.

Mr Milner also commented on the challenges art can present and the positive effect this can have.

"Art shakes us from our complacency" says Mr Milner, "We shouldn't be afraid of change".

Mr Milner noted that the Te Awamutu festival is not particularly controversial, but he would be happy to see "more challenging items" introduced at some stage in the future.