Ngapuhi Festival 2010

Kaikohe is gearing up to yet again host the bi-annual Ngāpuhi Festival which is expected to attract thousands while highlighting and celebrating the culture and pride of one of New Zealand’s largest iwi.

The prime purpose of this event is reinforcing and promoting the Mana, Matauranga and Tikanga of Ngāpuhi nui tonu. Next years festival promises to be bigger and better than ever. A weekend full of entertainment, competitions, kapa haka, whanaungatanga, wananga, matauranga, stalls, shopping and plenty of kai.

The festival will begin on the 27th with the opening of the world class art exhibition. Many artists have already confirmed their involvement including internationally renowned Shane Cotton, Faith McManus and Kura Te Waru Rewiri On the 29th, Ngāpuhi will host the Te Taitokerau Maori Sports Awards. A celebration of the talent and success of Māori sportspeople and teams for the Te Taitokerau region.

The festival culminates on the weekend, Northland and Auckland anniversary weekend, with two days of Ngāpuhi musicians, performers, stalls, kai and whanaungatanga, including Anika Moa and Ruia Aperahama.

The theme ‘Reaching Out’ means involving as many Ngāpuhi from across the country and around the world and bringing them to the heart of te whare tapu o Ngāpuhi, Kaikohe. It is also a great opportunity to share the rich Ngāpuhitanga with visitors and all of Te Taitokerau.

Staying true to nga tikanga tuturu o te ao Maori, the event will be smoke free, drug free, alcohol free, violence free and free of gang patches. This is five days of fun and celebration that you don’t want to miss out on!