Ngāpuhi Wraps up Another Successful Festival

Ngāpuhi Wraps up Another Successful Festival

Even the weather didn’t deter the masses of people from attending Ngāpuhi Festival, Northland’s largest music, arts and cultural festival in the weekend.

Over 32,000 people braved the heat and rain to make his year’s festival one of the most successful.

Hosted by Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi, the bi-ennial two-day festival brought some of Aotearoa’s best entertainers to Kaikohe, including Troy Kingi, Ranea Aperahama, Nyssa Collins, Dennis Marsh, Brendon T & the Vibes and Whenua Patuwai.

“It was wonderful seeing all our people celebrating and enjoying themselves, especially our taitaitamariki and kaumātua and kuia. And being able to share the festival with thousands more through the online livestream was great! says Acting Rūnanga Board Chair, Carol Dodd.

The Toi Ngāpuhi Art exhibition’s reputation for showcasing some of Ngāpuhi’s finest Māori arts and artists was upheld, including a feature piece by artist Maureen Lander about Hariata Rongo, daughter of Hongi Hika and wife of Hone Heke. Exhibition coordinator Rhonda Halliday says “Most of the art is sold, which is a tribute to the quality of the exhibition and to Colleen Waata-Urlich and Manos Nathan who passed away last year”.

Over 100 stalls filled the Northland College sports field, providing information about education, health and support services, selling branded merchandise and feeding the masses with heaps of delicious kai. General Manager for Te Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi, Te Ropu Poa said “Many people commended our request for stalls to have at least one healthy food option available and encourage selling cold water rather than sugar-laden soft drinks. We’re really pleased that stalls supported this kaupapa”

A highlight for many was the mass haka performed on Sunday evening to wrap up the festival in true Ngāpuhi style. “It was awesome!” said Willow Rawiri of Kaikohe. “Everyone was buzzing and I felt proud to be Ngāpuhi”.

Mrs Dodd spoke of the planning, management and support required to host northland’s largest festival. “We’d like to acknowledge all of our sponsors, supporters, volunteers, broadcasters and event staff for helping to make this festival one of the most successful, and look forward to bringing Ngāpuhi Festival back in 2018”.

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