Photos: Tamariki talent showcased in Kaikohekohe festival

Phoenix Matthews, of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Kaikohe's Year 5-6 kapa haka crew, had a hairstyle to match the occasion. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Children from 11 kura kaupapa, primary and intermediate schools around the Mid North took part in the Kaikohekohe Cultural Festival on Thursday. Now in its 22nd year, the event is a non-competitive celebration of Māori performing arts — with a few hip-hop dance and ukulele groups thrown in — and a chance to showcase tamariki talent. This year schools from as far away as Horeke and Paihia took part. More than 20 groups preformed during the day-long festival in the Kaikohe Memorial Hall.

Kinaira Casidy-Rakete (right) and Promise Webster-Harding perform with Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Kaikohe's Year 5-6 kapa haka group. Photo / Peter de Graaf

De'shaye Elliot puts in a spirited performance with the Year 7-8 students of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Kaikohe. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Wehi Henry-Edmonds (front) and Cortez Mata brandish their rākau during a performance by the Year 7-8 students of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Kaikohe. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kataraina Nordstrand, 6, performs with Kaikohe Christian School's kapa haka group. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Five-year-old Maurice Ghee of Kaikohe Christian School. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Twelve-year-old Pairama Woodbury performs with the Year 7-8 students of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Kaikohe. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Kaikohe student Wehi Henry-Edmonds, 12, leads a haka. Photo / Peter de Graaf