The sleepy Eastern Bay settlement of Ruatoki played host to thousands during Easter weekend as the 42nd Hui Ahurei a Tuhoe took place.
Three days of kapa haka, sport and debate, all designed to bring iwi together and strengthen the identity of Tuhoe, culminated in a prize-giving on Sunday night where Te Karu were named overall haka winners with Ngati Haka Patuheuheu in second and Tawera Kaipuha third.
![Wikamaua Hiakita and Tame Iti at Hui Ahurei a Tuhoe. Photo / Katee Shanks](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/2KBI3CXZUVAQEOTXFYLO7IMLFY.jpg?auth=5cb664a97f797781679b465e65df7006083716a27f042bfac37beaab2273c352&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
The first Hui Ahurei was held at Mataatua Marae in Rotorua in 1971 and since then, the event has grown to be the biggest and longest-standing iwi festival in New Zealand.
![Ihaia Waiwai challenges for Waikaremoana Whanaunakore. Photo / Katee Shanks](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/546BRDALN7JCNWKQDPLP34R7O4.jpg?auth=d0f0e95d68bf5400b829995e0cc078943a952c0b149ad9616725cc6948fcd8e0&width=16&height=25&quality=70&smart=true)