Smiles and fun on family day despite rain

Kahurangi Moore, 5, slides down the blow-up waterslide at the Greerton Family Festival on Saturday. Photo/Andrew Warner

The spirits of children and parents could not be dampened by rain at the Greerton Family Festival on Saturday.

Sporadic sprinklings of rain kept some away but those who did turn up to the annual family-friendly festival had a ball.

Smiles and fun were on show at the free event. "It isn't as big as it was last year, with the weather," event organiser Mark Sailsbury said.

Activities included face-painting, local musicians, a traditional hangi and two new features: a waterslide and jousting ring. Mr Sailsbury said the day was for the community, and was aimed at putting a positive spin on Waitangi Day, which was often controversial.

There were several community agencies on-site to connect eventgoers with the community resources.

There was no shortage of fun for Casma Moore, of Tauriko, and her 5-year-old daughter Kahurangi who was making the most of the waterslide.

"We wanted to do something on Waitangi Day that didn't involve waking up at 5am for a dawn service," she said.