Rotorua's fourth annual seafood festival has attracted people from near and far.
The festival, held at the Rotorua Village Green on Saturday, blended live music and the sizzle of cooking kaimoana.
The Simonsen family travelled from Tauranga to be at the festival.
Colin Simonsen said they loved seafood festivals and had been to one in the Coromandel and another in Whitianga but this was the first time they had gone to the Rotorua one.
"It's good. It's not too spread out, everything is compact and there's a good variety of food. The bands are good too."
For the second time there were two stages at the festival; a kai stage and the main stage.
Between midday and the festival finish at 6pm attendees heard from Jack Grace & Friends, Kelly Makiha, Krissie Knap, and Sons of Zion on the music stage, and from 2010 New Zealand MasterChef winner Brett McGregor and local chef Natasha Whitewood on the kai stage.
Heremaia said there had been a lot of door sales and headline act Sons of Zion was a good drawcard.
"It's a chance to see them for a good price and enjoy fantastic food. We've got everything here; mussel fritters, paua, oysters, prawns."
He said the VIP section was another drawcard.
The section, which was packed out, included access to an exclusive area with seating and shelter, all-day snacks and food service, and an exclusive bar.
Huhana Davie was parked up on the Village Green with a selection of kaimoana.