Hundreds celebrate kohanga reo

It has been 30 years since the first kohanga reo was set up in the Te Arawa area - and hundreds of people have come out to help mark the anniversary.

Hundreds of children and adults from kohanga reo from the Waiariki Tuwharetoa Kohanga Reo area have come together at the Village Green to celebrate the 30th year of the first kohanga reo being set up in the Te Arawa region.

Organising committee spokesperson Hoana Teaeki said present and past kohanga reo children came together to celebrate the event. There were more than 600 children, teachers and kaumatua.

They represented 27 of the 44 kohanga reo from the area, which stretches from Te Puke to Turangi.

Mrs Teaeki said one of the reasons was simply to get together.

"It's a one-day happening just so that we can all be in the same place at the same time. It doesn't happen very often."

Mrs Teaeki said the very first kohanga in the area was Te Kohanga Reo o Te Koutu.

She went to Te Kohanga Reo o Rotokawa, which this year celebrated its 28th birthday.

Her children are now also attending the same kohanga which was started up by her kuia Hoana Pomare, who was also the original kaiako (teacher).

The celebrations started with the kohanga reo doing a march past with their banners.

Mrs Teaeki said the rest of the day was spent with heaps of free things to do including bouncy castles, a carousel, pony rides and face painting.

"We've had competitions, Zumba and song competitions - it's been an awesome day," she said.