Unique gathering in Pahīatua for Te Tapuwaetahi o Rangitāne festival

The committee for this weekend's Te Tapuwaetahi o Rangitane have been working hard to organise the event which will attract 200 people to Pahīatua. Photo / Christine McKay

More than 200 people will gather in Pahīatua tomorrow for the three-day Te Tapuwaetahi o Rangitāne festival.

The event which will be held at the Pahīatua Marae is about celebrating and sharing achievements and having fun.

"The powhiri and kawe mate will start the hui and we will continue to make links with each other during the weekend," Dannevirke's Ataneta Paewai said.

At 7pm on Friday a cultural festival will follow dinner and on Saturday, at 8.30am, the Rangitāne Tapuwaetahi Whanau Sports and activities day will take place at the Bush Multisports Grounds in Pahiatua, followed by the Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā sports presentations and Iwi awards dinner at 6pm.

"This is our opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate Rangitāne contributions and achievements in sports, the arts, business, education, rangatahi leadership and iwi affairs," Ataneta said.

On Sunday there is a full range of activities at the marae.

"This is a biennial event and we all take along photos of those who have passed on. There will be lots of remembering," Hinekura said.