The potential was seen at the weekend, with Hastings deputy mayor Cynthia Bowers joining iwi representatives in Christchurch where the pounamu mauri symbolising the mana and strength of Te Matatini was handed over to the iwi on Sunday.
Transported from Christchurch to Wellington aboard the iwi-owned waka Te Matau a Maui, the mauri will travel the marae of the Kahungunu region mustering support for the festival.
"It has to be something that they all remember," Mr Tomoana said. "It hasn't been held here for more than 30 years, and it will be another 30 years before it is held in the area again."
Te Matatini dates back to a festival first held in in Rotorua in 1972, and it was last held in Hawke's Bay, at the showgrounds in Hastings, in 1983.
Mrs Bowers said she was "blown away" by everything at Te Matatini, from its size and infrastructure to the professionalism and passion of the 45 groups, which among them brought about 4000 performers and immediate supporters to Christchurch.
"It is one of those events where you cannot appreciate how big it is unless you are actually there," she said.
Four Kahungunu groups were among the performers at the festival, but were unable to break into the award-winning elite, as the standards soared.
