Ten years on from the first community kapa haka festival in Dannevirke, the event has grown to become a two-day spectacular.
Organised by Tamai Nicholson and his wife Claudia, the event has such great interest that the first day this year involved five kohanga reo and preschool groups singing, dancing and swirling poi, to the delight of the audience in the Town Hall.
Among the proud parents, families and caregivers watching on was Vanessa Hape.
"Aren't they wonderful," she said as children from Kaitoki Kohanga Reo entertained.
Vanessa's son, Mohituari Moke, was a member of the Kaitoki group and put all his energy and facial expressions into his performance.