Hawaiian-style Matariki ball not to be missed (+ video)

HAWAIIAN BALL: About 200 people, who were mainly in the 70-plus age group, attended the Whakanuia Nga Koeke O Te Arawa Matariki ball yesterday. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Te Arawa koeke (elders) celebrated in Hawaiian style at the Whakanuia Nga Koeke O Te Arawa Matariki ball.

Nearly 200 enjoyed a dinner, dancing and entertainment at the Holiday Inn yesterday at the annual ball which mainly catered for the 70-plus age group but was open to those 65 and over.

It was organised by Te Arawa Lakes Trust in association with Te Puni Kokiri and other Te Arawa Land Trusts and organisations. The ball coincided with Matariki, the Maori New Year.

Te Arawa Lakes Trust project manager Dell Raerino said it was the seventh year they had held the ball, which was fully funded by Te Arawa entities and trusts.

A bus had been organised by the trust to transport attendees from Te Puke and Maketu.

"It's great for us to say thank you for their work and contribution to the iwi, it's about Te Arawa giving back to our koeke," Mr Raerino said.

"It is also Matariki which is a time for remembrance, this is our seventh year and a lot of the ones that came to the first one are no longer with us."

Live entertainment, dinner and a hula dancing contest was held before the annual Matariki king and kuia of the ball were chosen.

"[The feedback] we get is they love it, they look forward to it each year and we'll get inquiries a month or so before it asking if the invitations have been sent out."

Kiri Fraser said she always enjoyed attending the event. "How nice it is to be here and be able to get together with our age level and talk."