Hawke's Bay's biggest annual schools event ended in traditional acclaim yesterday, as it has for at least 38 years since it was first held.
The Ngati Kahungunu Primary Schools Kapa Haka Festival, known for many years as the Primary Schools Maori Culture Festival, was held over four days at MaraenuiBi-Lingual School in Napier, attracting an estimated 5000 people.
Host school principal Jim Pearcey said over 2000 children had been in the 50 groups which had performed in the huge, six-pole marquee erected in the school grounds. Many of the schools had more than one group.
More than 2000 family members, supporters and other spectators were also estimated to have watched.
Many parents and even some grandparents were able to recall their own performances in the festival in the days when it was held mid-year at the Hastings Municipal Theatre (now the Hawke's Bay Opera House).
For most of the time it was hosted and organised by a different school each year but Maraenui, which about a decade ago was the first to stage it outdoors and in the fourth term, has been host for the past three years.
It cost about $11,000 to stage, with support from Ngati Kahungunu iwi, Napier City Council, Te Puni Kokiri, and the Endeavour Community Trust. Stalls and gate takings also helped.
