Festival draws 1000 to lake

More than 1000 people crowded through the gates at the Waitangi Day Festival at Henley Lake, Masterton yesterday.

Organisers Deborah Davidson and Tirau Te Tau said the weather remained warm and dry throughout the day. More than 20 stalls offered food, information or activities. Several food stalls were completely depleted including the hangi stall, which sold 300 meals in an hour. Food on offer included Samoan fare, hamburgers, fried bread, sausage sizzles and ice cream.

Other stalls included the Cancer Society dragon boat team, an exhibition of Maori jade and bone taonga from Aratoi, rongoa or Maori herbal medicine, harakeke flax weaving, Whaiora Whanui smoking cessation and Karnage X Fitness crossfit training.

The Dancing Samoans, Lenny T and his band, Koia and Tama performed at the festival, which ran from 11am to after 3pm.

The theme this year was families, Ms Davidson said.

Much-needed water for the event was supplied by Colin McAuley and prizes handed out included passes from Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park golf driving range, CLM Masterton and Master Bowl 10-pin bowling.

There was also a Treaty Race activity for families where a question about the Treaty of Waitangi was asked and an activity set at each of six activity stations.

Ms Te Tau said she had been "overwhelmed at the huge numbers of people wanting to participate" and Mrs Davidson described the event this year as "fantastic and really successful".

Other Waitangi Day events held throughout the region included a race meeting at Tauherenikau Racecourse, a Waitangi Day exhibition at the Carterton Events Centre and a market day at Cobblestones Museum in Greytown.