My Account
Southern Paprika’s Hamish Alexander with Kiribati president Taneti Mamau.
The Pasifika Festival in Warkworth had an unexpected VIP visitor on November 19.
The annual event is a celebration of Pacific cultures in the Mahurangi community, including Tongan, I-Kiribati, Tuvaluan, Ni-Vanuatu and Samoan, and there was also a kapa haka performance by Leigh School.
Recently-elected President of Kiribati Taneti Mamau made a surprise appearance and was given a warm Pacific welcome.
The festival is organised by the Mahu Vision Community Trust, which is part of the Mahurangi Presbyterian Church, and was held in the Mahurangi College Hall.
Now in its fifth year, the auditorium was full to overflowing.
An organiser Neville Johnson says he is pleased to see a growing number of Pakeha attending the festival and recognising the local migrant community.
The Rodney Local Board, Galaberry, Valley Fresh, Warkworth Taxis and Buses, Warkworth Lions and Mahurangi College were among others who supported this year’s festival.
