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A Successful Ngāpuhi Festival

The festival is over and what a success it was. The festival was about ‘Reaching Out’, involving as many Ngāpuhi as possible from across the country and around the world and bringing them to the heart of te whare tapu o Ngāpuhi, “the sacred house of Ngāpuhi”: Kaikohe.

 
  Festival Perfromance 2010



The large crowds that came were a testament to the festival's success. They were well behaved and overall it was a great family time all out together. Some comments made by visitors were:

“Really good. Good for Ngapuhi, good for Kaikohe and good for New Zealand”

“Everyone was friendly and well behaved”

“It was nice to see dad, mum, the kids, grandpa, and grandma all out together enjoying the day”
 

 
Festival Art 2010
  

As stated before, this festival is truly a unique modern Maori cultural experience. It is a credit to the organisers, and the Ngapuhi people.
It wasn’t about putting on a show for tourists, it was about Ngapuhi enjoying being Ngapuhi and celebrating with their family and extended family, yet all were welcome to come and participate: entry was free to all.

As time goes on and word gets out I suspect many visitors will to come from overseas to future festivals to join with Ngapuhi and celebrate with them.
It was amazing to see such a large crowd enjoying the performance and staying true to nga tikanga tuturu o te ao Maori. I saw no drinking and no one smoking!

Even the weather was kind, while there was flooding elsewhere in New Zealand the weather here in Kaikohe was fine right up till the festival was over, and then we had some much needed rain!

The Ngāpuhi people, the largest iwi in New Zealand, have played a significant role in shaping New Zealand’s history, and today will continue to play a significant role in shaping its future.

Kaikohe, “The Heart of Ngāpuhi”, is proud to have hosted this fantastic event.

Something to get on your bike about!

The 86 km Bay of Islands to Hokianga coast to coast trail has the huge potential to become an iconic trail for local, national and international users.  This cycle/walkway project is worth being enthusiastic about.

 
  Joe Carr NRC Councillor

A train ride from Opua to Kawakawa, then cycle ride or walk following the easy grade of the old rail corridor through Ngapipito, up Jacobs ladder to Kaikohe, thence through the rail tunnel and on to Okaihau would be awesome, but would probably be surpassed by ...

Naau te rourou, Naaku te rourou, Ka maakona te iwi

“Your contribution and my contribution will provide sufficient for all.”

This is a constant reminder to us – from the host people, to whom the whenua belongs, that we have a responsibility to our manuhiri. The most important of attributes among those responsibilities being to provide an abundance of food, a place to rest and a group who are ready to host our manuhiri in a fitting manner that will ensure their return.


The success of the cycle/walkway will come down to the people and what they contribute to the trail. The council needs to engage with the people in a meaningful and co-constructive manner in order that all can see their contributions, responsibilities and the collective and individual opportunities.
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A Sense Community Involvement and Anticipation Growing

At a meeting on Tuesday, 20 people representing local communities, local government and iwi agencies affected by the proposed Hokianga to

 
  John Schollum Community Board Member

Opua Cycle / Rail Trail had an opportunity to talk about the real opportunities that are emerging.

There was agreement that the project was a catalyst for a sustainable economic stimulus for the area. Opportunities such as Bed and Breakfasts being established, existing accommodation being extended, telling the story of early Maori and European settlement in the area, increasing the number of transport operators, and growing the visitor attractions already in place were discussed.
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