Ngā Tupuranga, Years 3-4, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Photo essay: More than 1000 children - and many more proud parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties - packed a Bay of Island marae on Tuesday for a day-long celebration of culture and togetherness.
Now in its fourth year, Te Hui Ahurei o Ngāti Rēhia is a kapa haka festival for primary and intermediate-aged students across the wider Ngāti Rēhia rohe or tribal area.
It was held at Whitiora Marae at Te Tii, north of Kerikeri, and organised this year by Kerikeri Primary School.
Eleven groups performed from seven schools, each performing a set of waiata, action songs, haka and poi.
More than 260 children took part from Kerikeri Primary School alone.
The festival started as a way of bringing children together after the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it has since grown into one of the biggest events on the Bay of Islands cultural calendar.
Oromahoe School will organise next year's festival.
Ngā Puāwaitanga, Years 5-6, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Puāwaitanga, Years 5-6, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Puāwaitanga, Years 5-6, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Puāwaitanga, Years 5-6, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Tuākana, Bay of Islands International Academy. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Tuākana, Riverview Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Tuākana, Riverview Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Opua Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Opua Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Opua Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Tupuranga, Years 3-4, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Tupuranga, Years 3-4, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Tupuranga, Years 3-4, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Tupuranga, Years 3-4, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Tupuranga, Years 3-4, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Matauri Bay School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Matauri Bay School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Matauri Bay School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Oromahoe School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Oromahoe School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Kākano, Year 2, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Kākano, Year 2, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Kākano, Year 2, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Kākano, Year 2, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Ngā Kākano, Year 2, Kerikeri Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
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