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About 400 students performed at the 24th annual Kaipara Festival held at Rodney College on September 19.
Fourteen schools from Rodney and the Hibiscus Coast participated in the non-competitive event, which celebrates Maori culture and kapa haka.
Rodney College Maori support teacher and event organiser Michelle Nahi says the festival attracted about about 800 spectators.
Preschoolers from Kohungahunga o Whangaparaoa started the day.
“They just set the scene. They were gorgeous and the costumes were incredible,” Michelle said.
Wellsford School had two entries with 100 performers.
Planning is now starting for the 25th event next year, which will be held in Helensville, where the inaugural festival was held in 1992.
Michelle is hoping every school in the district will enter next year’s event, which would mean more than 40 schools would participate.
“We are envisioning that it will be more than just a one-day event.”
Michelle has been involved with the festival since started.
“It’s an inclusive events and although its grown, the spirit has remained alive and strong.
“We now have multi-generational performers, with parents and grandparents watching their children perform. That’s quite a highlight.”
The waita typically honour ancestors, historical events and landmarks in area.
“You always pay homage to your mountain, your river, your sea, your marae and the main ancestor from that marae.”
