New event in Kaikohe to fill gap of Ngapuhi Festival

The Kaikohe Festival will be held at Lindvart Park. Photo/File

Two Northland groups are filling the gap of the Ngapuhi Festival after hearing Kaikohe locals were disappointed to see it move.

A new event called the Kaikohe Festival has been organised by two non-profit organisations affiliated with Destiny Church - ManUp Northland, a group to support men to become better fathers; husbands; and leaders in their home and community, and Legacy Northland, a group to empower women.

Robbie Johnson, ManUp Northland facilitator, said the two groups had heard people were disappointed at the announcement the biennial Ngapuhi Festival, traditionally held in Kaikohe, was being held in Whangarei this year.

"It was bit of a spur of the moment thing. We put it out there and people were really supportive.

"The locals are really, really positive. People are passionate about the north and Kaikohe, and they want something they can feel is their own. It's not in opposition to the Ngapuhi Festival."

Tio Taiaki, strategic communications manager for Te Runanga a iwi o Ngapuhi, said the runanga supported community-led initiatives in Kaikohe, including the two-day Kaikohe Festival.

"We met with Pastor Robbie last year to discuss their proposed event and reached a mutual understanding that the Kaikohe Festival is not a replacement event in any way, but more so another great example for the Kaikohe community to come together in positive ways to host another valuable cultural, whanau, and community business event," he said.

Mr Johnson said there would be more than 20 stalls at the free family event and live entertainment from local bands, kapa haka groups, and New Zealand rapper Sid Diamond.

On the Saturday Tu Tangata "We Ride Because We Care" will have a large number of motorbikes enjoying a ride around the North to spread ManUp and Legacy's message of change and on Sunday there will be a Car and Bike Show and Shine with prizes to be won.

The smoke, drug, and alcohol-free event will be on January 20 and 21 at Lindvart Park - a week before the Ngapuhi Festival.