Kihikihi’s Mānawatia a Matariki celebrations – held to “bring whānau together” – saw hundreds attend the community event last Saturday.
The day was organised by Ngāti Apakura Runanga Trust and supported by Waipā District Council and the Te Awamutu/Kihikihi Community Board.
The free event at Kihikihi Domain was a mix of live music, art, harakeke, or flax weaving, tree plantings, hangi and more.
Trust chairman Bill Harris told The News he was grateful to everybody who helped organise the day, and the public for attending.
“Our premise was to bring families together and see them out having fun in the community. Without those who attended, it’s not an event,” Harris said.
“We made sure there were lots of activities for kids and people really bought into the day and had a lot of fun. One of our other key objectives was to showcase our amazing, homegrown, up and coming musical talent through waiata and the performing arts.”
This year – the second time the event has been held – more than 200 hangi meals were also distributed.
Three-year-old Aurora Lankow was all smiles after getting her face painted. Photo: Jeremy Smith
Harris said Rangiaowhia had initially been considered as a possible venue, but the ground proved too wet.
So, Kihikihi Domain was chosen, and had proven a fantastic venue.
He paid tribute to the domain committee and Kihikihi Rugby Sports Club.
He was also delighted that Te Awamutu Riding for the Disabled had held an event near the Matariki celebrations at the same time.
“Lots of people came across from them to us and vice versa, it was wonderful to be able to share the community space in such a way.”
Among others, organisations represented on Saturday included the Te Awamutu Māori Women’s Welfare League, Harris said, and representatives from the Department of Conservation (DoC) and the Ministry for the Environment’s Jobs for Nature initiative.
Tamariki planted seedlings in cups during the day, with plans to later pot – then plant – them at either Mātakitaki or Tarawera.
Harris said next year’s event was already being considered.
Vado – Vado Snowden leads the Xtreme Hip Hop Step Fitness session. Photo: Jeremy Smith
Cassi Rewha singing waiata on stage on Saturday.
Flax – Nicola Watene, left, gets a harakeke, or flax, weaving lesson from Kahu McClintock of Ngāti Apakura. Photo: Jeremy Smith
Two-year-old Waiāmia Taiapa enjoys a slide on the bouncy castle.
Guitarist – Carlos Taylor on stage.
