Tukiwaho Karepa and Alasaka Patrick bobbing for apples. Photo / Supplied
Tukiwaho Karepa and Alasaka Patrick bobbing for apples. Photo / Supplied
Waitangi Day in Kawerau was a great celebration of family, whanau and all things Maori.
The event was led by Te Wananga O Aotearoa and supported by Te Whiri Kawai partners Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau Health, Education and Social Services and Manna Support Services.
Set up started early with marquees, gazebosand a stage comprising a long-haul truck and flatbed trailer.
Having fun was Rangataua Rakei, enjoying the activities on offer.
The circus paddock proved an ideal location with plenty of parking, the skatepark and children's climbing frames right next door.
"Proceedings commenced with a short karakia/prayer by Te Waraki Te Ruki followed by a rundown of the day's events by MC Hamuera Hudson. Capably assisted by Jordaan and Naomi, the trio entertained the crowd with waiata/songs and words of encouragement around enrolment opportunities designed to improve the whanau's career opportunities," one organiser said.
MC Hamuera Hudson at the Waitangi celebrations in Kawerau.
Te Wananga O Aotearoa hosted a Waitangi 101 information centre offering information about upcoming courses, such as Youth Guarantee in Sports and Fitness and a new course centred on tourism.
Tuwharetoa Ki Kawerau's bright green gazebo was a busy place, hosting awareness around cervical and breast screening and promoting physical health.
Their five-week nutritional programme starting in March created lots of interest, as did enrolments for the Putauaki touch season.
At the Manna Support gazebo the focus was on encouraging school-leavers to sign up with their youth services, designed to help 16-18 year olds transition smoothly into further education, training and or employment.
"Like all Kawerau events, the crowd needed to be fed and free sausage sizzles proved popular," the organiser said. "Meanwhile, a doughnut cart was very busy selling doughnuts and cold drinks.
"Children's games included apple bobbing, magnet fishing and quoits, with many of the competitors using the apple bobbing as an excuse to get their heads wet and cool down on what was a pretty warm day even by Kawerau standards."
The day was promoted as a drugs, alcohol and smoke free event and for the crowd of 300-400 that proved to be a great draw card.
The day's entertainment included performances by Wiremu Kora, Kingi Boys, Ed and Takari, and concluded with some great jazz renditions by Whirimako Black and her acoustic guitar.
Rikiana Kingi joined her towards the end of her set, playing electric guitar, and the audience really appreciated the te reo interpretations of some classic pieces.
The day concluded with the presentation of prizes from Te Wananga o Aotearoa ki Kawerau and two lucky visitors to the Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora Gazebo.
