Day of fun goes swimmingly

Tiare Edwards, 10 months old, with Eva Ford, 2, at the Waitangi Whanau Celebration at the Marton Swim Centre. Photo/Bevan Conley

Rain wasn't enough to put a dampener on the inaugural Waitangi Whanau Celebrations in Marton on Saturday.

A joint project between the Rangitikei District Council and the Ministry of Youth Development, the event was held at the Marton Swim Centre. It was supported by the Marton Youth Club.

Toni Giddens from the Rangitikei District Council said while some activities had to be cancelled because of the weather, there was still plenty of family fun to be had.

"We had the aqua run, a DJ, and a sausage sizzle and refreshments. And when there was a break in the weather, we had a 'bomb competition' in the dive pool which the kids really enjoyed.

"Fortunately, it was still pretty warm even if it was raining."

Ms Giddens said it was particularly pleasing to see plenty of older family members come along to the event.

She said around 150 people turned up.

"We're really happy with it, and we're hoping it will become an annual event," she said.