Ardijah headline act for Kawhia Kai Festival

Media Release 18 January, 2012

Ardijah headline act for Kawhia Kai Festival

Ardijah will be brining their unique “poly fonk” indigenous sounds as the headline act for the Kahwia Kai Festival scheduled for Saturday, February 4.

In a career spanning nearly three decades, Ardijah have released five albums, numerous hit singles, and evolved their “poly fonk” sound out of their funk and R&B origins.

Having been hugely popular when they played at the Festival in 2009, Ardijah’s lead singer, Betty-Anne, says “it’s always a ‘buzz’ to be invited to share the music alongside Kapa Haka and fellow muso’s”.

“The band is hanging out to treat ourselves to some wonderful traditional Maori kai so we will be arriving early in the day to sample what’s on offer (reka te kai)!” says Betty-Anne.

Introduced by radio personality Kingi Biddle as the Festival’s MC, there will be a full-day of entertainment lined up beginning with a traditional mihi (welcome) at 9am. Also performing will be Hamilton bands The Spiritz, Stingray and Zionhill, a duet called Tukutuku singing in Te Reo?, as well as two local kapa haka groups - Ngāti Māhanga Whānui from Whatawhata, and Te Taha Tu.

Now in its 7th year, The Kawhia Kai Festival attracts some 10,000 visitors to a feast of music and entertainment, as well as contemporary and traditional Māori cuisine.

Among the more than 25 kai stalls, four local Kāwhia marae will each have a stall dedicated just to hāngi – the most popular dish of traditional Māori kai, says event organiser Hinga Whiu.

“Each year the marae teams prepare more hāngi – and each year we sell out!” says Hinga.

“But we have people coming from all over the country to sample other traditional and contemporary Māori kai such as Toroi (marinated mussels and pūhā), Creamed Pāua and Kina, Īnanga (Whitebait patties), Kānga Wai/Pirau (fermented corn), Pūhā and pork spring rolls, Pāwhara (smoked fish and eel) as well as the local Waikato delicacy - Kōkī (shark liver pate).”

As a Festival to celebrate Waitangi Day for all New Zealanders, the event also showcases Māori arts and crafts with demonstrations of rāranga (traditional flax weaving), and tā-moko (traditional tattooing).

Held on Ōmiti Reserve by the shores of the tranquil Kāwhia Harbour on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, the Festival’s venue is designed along the lines of a traditional Maori village. Visitors enter through a carved waharoa (gateway) – and the whole site is surrounded by fences made from manuka.

Attracting New Zealanders of all ages and backgrounds, gate entry will be $10 for adults, and free those 12 years and under.

Media Information: ENTERTAINMENT LINE-UP KĀWHIA KAI FESTIVAL 2012 – [9AM – 5PM]

9AM: OPENING KARAKIA / MIHI WHAKATAU / INTRO TO FESTIVAL (15MINS)

9.15AM: DUET: TUKUTUKU (15MINS)

9.30AM: BAND 1: THE SPIRITZ (40MINS)

10.10AM: KAPA HAKA : 1 NGĀTI MĀHANGA WHĀNUI (25MINS)

10.35AM: BAND 2: STING-RAY (50MINS)

11.25AM: DUET: TUKUTUKU: (15MINS)

11.40AM: KAPA HAKA 2: TE TAHA TŪ (25MINS)

12.05PM: ZIONHILL (50MINS)

12.55PM: KAPA HAKA 1: NGĀTI MĀHANGA WHĀNUI (25MINS)

1.25PM: BAND 2: STING-RAY (50MINS)

2.15PM: DUET: TUKUTUKU: (15MINS)

2.30PM: BAND 1: THE SPIRITZ (40MINS)

3.10PM: KAPA HAKA 2: TE TAHA-TŪ (25MINS)

3.35PM:

4PM: MAIN BAND: ARDIJAH (60MINS)

Ends.

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