Kāwhia Kai Festival celebrates 2013 Waitangi Day

Media Release 20 November, 2012

Kāwhia Kai Festival celebrates 2013 Waitangi Day

Thousands of New Zealanders will be heading for Kāwhia in early February 2013 to celebrate Waitangi Day with a feast of contemporary and traditional Māori kai along with a full-day’s entertainment from bands as well as kapahaka performances.

Held on Saturday, February 2 in 2013, the Lonely Planet travel guide rates the event in its top 10 “must see” cultural events in the country. And it’s no wonder, 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).”

Now in its 8th year 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, the Festival’s venue is designed along the lines of a traditional Māori 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, the cultural festival runs from 9am to 5pm, with a gate entry of $10 for adults, and $2 those 12 years and under. Visit www.kawhiakaifestival.co.nz for more information.

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