Hunters take to hills for festival fun

Matua Parkinson gave out prizes at last year's Matahiwi festival. Photo/File

Hills around the Whanganui River will be swarming with hunters - all aiming to bag the biggest boars and stags for the hunting and food festival at Matahiwi on Saturday.

The hunt begins at 3pm on Thursday at Matahiwi, 40 minutes up the Whanganui River Rd. Weigh-in is three days later, at 3pm.

Bagging big hairy beasts is just one part of the Whanganui River Valley Hunt and Food Festival from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, master of ceremonies Kahurangi Simon said.

It follows a successful festival last year, when celebrity boxer Shane Cameron and television host Brendon Pongia added gloss to the occasion.

This year the celebrities will again include Hunting Aotearoa's Matua Parkinson, who's from Parikino, and rugby player Glen Osborne. There have also been hints that one or more All Blacks may turn up.

The hunt organisers are Chris Kumeroa and Daryn Te Uamairangi. They have Defence Force backgrounds and are also "river rats", Mr Simon said. Sandy Ranginui, Ramari Te Uamairangi and Marilyn Tamakehu have all been working hard too.

No smoking, alcohol or other drugs will be permitted on the day.

"It's absolutely all about whanau ora - for whanau, by whanau and with whanau," Mr Simon said.

"It's an opportunity to bring more people to our home and to experience the river, as well as for hunters to come and expose their skills."

Adults pay $10 to get in, and children under 16 will be free. Those attending are warned to bring cash - there will be no eftpos machines.

They'll be able to buy clothes and food, including a hangi lunch, from stalls. There will be boning and sausage-making demonstrations, and games like a pig carry and an obstacle course for the children.

Charnao, Kahamai and Tama K will provide music.

Excitement will mount when the hunters roll in with their catches and prizes are given out.

Hunters will be working in teams or as individuals, and they have a vast swathe of backcountry to choose from.

Mr Simon said the focus would be mainly on pigs this year. There seemed to be plenty around, but hunters could be as secretive as fishers about where they found them.

"Local hunters keep that pretty quiet. You only know when you smell the cooking in the kitchen."