Last weekend's Ngati Hine Festival has renewed the iwi's pride in its talent and achievements, organising committee member Pita Tipene says.
The festival at Moerewa's Otiria Marae featured two days of kapa haka, kai and korero, as well as a series of Tuna Town events celebrating the eel, a tribal iconand one-time staple food.
Mr Tipene said things were looking grim on Saturday morning as the second and biggest day of the festival got under way.
A downpour turned the marae grounds into an expanse of mud and water, with only about 30 hardy souls huddled under the marquee at 9am.
However, the rain eased as the morning's karakia were said and the crowd soon filled out.
Mr Tipene said about 1000 people were at the marae at any one time, with an estimated 3000-4000 over the two days.
"We stuck with the programme despite the fact things were looking a bit sad in the morning, and achieved all we set out to achieve. The weather hasn't dampened people's enthusiasm, and it gives people a sense of pride to be Ngati Hine to see what happens onstage."
The festival aimed to promote local talent, bring people together, and reinvigorate Maori language and culture.
A new feature of the festival this year was a concert at the Turner Centre showcasing Ngati Hine talent in jazz, opera and chamber music.
Performers included singers Kawiti Waetford, Luke Bird and Huaki Puanaki, but the Martin sisters string trio from Matawaia - aged just 10, 14 and 18 - stole the show, receiving a standing ovation.
The theme this year was "kete tangariki", harking back to the days when Maori gathered elvers (juvenile eels) from the river next to Otiria Marae in woven kits, helping them up the waterfall as they migrated upstream.
That care for young eels was a metaphor for caring for the youth of Ngati Hine today.
The only cancellation was singer Ruia Aperahama, who was to have closed Saturday's festivities.
The festival will be back again next year on the last weekend in March.
