Primary School Maori Festival kicks off in Rotorua

Rotorua Primary. Photo/Stephen Parker

Pupils have taken to the stage for the opening of the Rotorua Primary School Maori Festival (Te Ahurei o Nga Kura 2017).

The week-long festival kicked off tonight at Rotorua's Harvest Centre with more than 1000 performers and their whanau along for the fun.

The opening lineup included Te Kura o Ruamata, Te Kura o Tihiotonga, Pukeroa Oruawhata, Westbrook School, Te Kura o Malfroy and Te Kura o Rotorua Intermediate.

WAIATA: Pupils from Rotorua Primary School take the stage. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Event manager Iwi Te Whau said a last-minute venue change was the hardest part of this year's festival.

The festival is usually held in the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.

"We're thankful to the Harvest Centre for allowing us to come here."

Rotorua Primary. Photo/Stephen Parker

Te Whau said he looked forward to the event every year.

"There's a lot of work that's gone on in the background, from the schools, the teachers and the tutors they get on board to help out."

KA PAI: The crowd shows its support for the performers. Photo/Stephen Parker

Pupils will perform everything from kapa haka items, plays and small dramatic sequences.

"It's an opportunity to promote te reo Maori and for schools to give thanks back to parents and the community," Te Whau said.

"It's an acknowledgement of our kids."

Otonga Primary School. Photo/Stephen Parker

Te Whau said for many of the kids, particularly the 5-year-olds, this would be their first time up on stage.

"Then for some of the intermediate students, this will be their last time on this stage."

Festival chairwoman Bubby Soloman said they were used to the madness.

"It's not a competition. It's about our students performing on the stage for their parents.

"We're always excited about it."

Otonga Primary School. Photo/Stephen Parker

Soloman said backstage there were always a few nerves but once the children came out and heard the claps and cheers from the audience they would be fine.

"We want to pay a special homage to Aunty Bea, Bea Yates, and councillor Trevor Maxwell for their part in this."

Both Yates and Maxwell will take a turn MCing over the course of the week.

Soloman also thanked the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute for its sponsorship.

The festival has been on the Rotorua calendar for more than four decades and last year about 30 schools took part.

When it started, four schools were involved and this year there will be 34 groups taking the stage.

That will include rural schools such as Mamaku and Horohoro.

There are two sessions each night this week from 5.30pm-7pm and 7.30pm-9pm.

About 300 people are expected at each session.