Dannevirke: Church celebrates 200 years

These youngsters looked good and sounded great.

"It was an awesome day," said Pastor Greg Motu, of the Dannevirke Ministers' Association, all smiles as he described the One Love Dannevirke Community Festival last weekend.

The festival was hosted by the combined churches of Dannevirke to celebrate 200 years since Samuel Marsden preached the first sermon in New Zealand. "So we invited the whole of Dannevirke to come and celebrate," said Pastor Greg.

"We were warned that the weather might not co-operate but, despite a cold day either side of the festival, we had a warm day on the Saturday. Just what we prayed for. We had visitors attend from churches in Hawke's Bay, Palmerston North and Lower Hutt.

Children queued up for the free rides.

TALENT: These youngsters looked good and sounded great.

"Dannevirke's churches often get together for events, but this was the biggest yet."

There was free food and free fairground rides for children as well as a mechanical bull and a climbing wall for the "bigger kids".

"We had people try to pay - and they were most surprised when we said 'no - this is a party, it's all free'. There were lots of smiles."

There was live entertainment throughout the day from local artists, including One Love Band, the Boot Scooters, The Johnsons, Wharemako Paewai and more, and during the festival writer and historian Keith Newman hosted a forum in the Hub seminar room, speaking about Dannevirke's and New Zealand's forgotten Christian heritage.

Motivational speaker Owen Pomana was also there to share his story.

Pastor Greg said: "Owen is an inspiring man with an amazing story to share - from being down and out in Australia's underworld and then transformed into a globetrotting motivational speaker, people were captivated by his story."

The celebrations continued on Sunday, with a combined church service.

"People enjoyed themselves so much that they are suggesting we do it again next year."