A small school with big dreams grew a study of the abundant green lipped mussels at Mitimiti into an annual festival celebrating life on the remote north Hokianga west coast.
The Kutai Festival began in 2007 after students at tiny Matihetihe School had to produce a kutai (mussel) dish as part of a scientific study on the local mussels.
The tastes were so sensational they decided to sell their food as a fundraiser, and in turn that proved so popular it evolved into the fabulous day of celebration, food and, of course, kutai, Te Kura o Matihetihe principal Katarina Manuel said.
"Mitimiti has the tastiest kutai in the world.
"We only have a small school with a roll of 28 students. We are a small school, with big dreams," Ms Manuel said.
"This of course is such a huge event and we are lucky enough to have the support of everyone in our small community, as well as whanau that are whakapapa connected to Mitimiti who come back especially to help.
"We also have family in Australia that send back items for the kutai festival. We are very blessed. We can't forget all our local sponsors as well that muck in and help us get everything off the ground."
This year's festival dishes include the famous Taniwha burgers (with a special secret sauce), kutai pizzas, kutai wontons, chowder pies, icecream stands, canteen items, cake stalls and more, Ms Manuel said.
The celebrity MC will once again be television personality, comedian, Maori wellbeing advocate and foodie, Pio Terei.
Activities include the Rock-up Pirate Ship adventure, log jousting, basketball challenges, volcano adventure run, dunk the teacher, kutai shelling competition, truck towing teams events, tug-of-war team events, crossfit throwdown, dancing, live singing, gumboot throw, surfcasting, coconut shy, massage, children's art, face-painting, silent auctions, raffles, Scottish rock throw and other wild and wonderful challenges.
The festival will be held at Matihetihe Marae on Saturday, from 9am to 2.30pm, with all proceeds going to the school.