Whangarei went Dutch for a day as the city celebrated its first ever Koninginnedag, the official birthday of the Netherlands' Queen Beatrix - and the excuse for a day of Dutch treats, entertainment and partying.
Every April 30 for the past 126 years, even the smallest hamlet in Holland is transformed
into an outdoor party zone on "Queen's Day" and in Amsterdam up to a million orange-clad revellers pack the city's streets and canals.
While Whangarei's inaugural Holland Festival couldn't match Amsterdam in numbers, organisers were delighted by the turnout and atmosphere at the Quarry Arts Centre.
Dutch-born Monique Dane said she and a group of friends had been thinking about organising a Koninginnedag celebration in Whangarei for several years, but with April 30 this year falling on a Saturday, 2011 seemed a good year to start.
The event had been such a success it was almost certain to be repeated next year, she said.
"It's been great, quite overwhelming actually. We're really pleased with how many people turned out in crazy orange wigs and clogs and stuff, so participation has been really good. Everyone wants to do it again next year, and I think we should," she said.
People were waiting to get in when the quarry gates opened at noon, with the number of visitors during the course of the day put at 800-1000.
The venue proved ideal as it allowed organisers to recreate the atmosphere of a Dutch street party without traffic worries.
Dutch treats on sale included oliebollen (deep-fried dough balls with raisins and icing sugar), broodje haring (pickled herring in a bread roll) and bitterballen (deep-fried balls with a mystery meat filling); live music and demonstrations by the Auckland Dutch Dancers, in traditional costumes from the fishing village of Volendam, provided the entertainment.
Also taking part were Whangarei's Japanese community, selling orange sushi and origami as a fundraiser for Japan's quake and tsunami victims, and the Paper Mill, making orange paper and crafts.
The afternoon's focus was on families, with a children's market and traditional games, while a bar and sing-along in the evening gave the adults a chance to let their hair down.
