Emergency Services take to the streets

Hutt City Mayor Ray Wallace is inviting residents to a street parade to welcome competitors in the 2012 Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games to the city.

Over 300 emergency services personnel from around New Zealand and Australia are expected to march along Jackson Street, Petone on Friday 2 March at noon.

They will be accompanied by a full range of emergency service vehicles including police cars, fire engines, aviation security vehicles and ambulances.

Mayor Wallace says “it promises to be a colourful occasion.

”The parade route will be Peel Place carpark – Richmond Street – Jackson Street – Buick Street – Petone Recreation Ground and is expected to take 30 minutes.

After the parade participants have arrived at Petone Recreation Ground they will be welcomed by a karanga and haka powhiri by representatives of local mana whenua and the opening ceremony for the Games will begin.

The haka powhiri will be comprised of students from Naenae College, Wainuiomata High School, Te Huatai Katorika and He Ngakau Kotahi Kapa Haka Roopu and from members of the representative emergency services.

This will be followed by a display from the police elite Special Tactics Group (STG) and will involve a mock-rescue scenario. STG members will be fast rope rappelling from a helicopter and conducting a vehicle assault in order to rescue the Games flag.