Night market celebrates fifth birthday

Tania Flowers and Lewis Tredicucci from Pastamia got into the Cuban theme at the Rotorua Night Market's fifth birthday. Photo / Ben Fraser

The Rotorua Night Market had a theme with a Cuban twist for its fifth birthday last night, with dance performances promoting the New Zealand Cuban Festival.

Festival trustee Lisa Kohunui said she hoped to give the people at the night markets a preview of the types of performances available in the festival, which begins today.

"It is a bit of a taster of the festival, we are going to do a performance just like salsa. People are welcome to join the dancing, it's an open invitation. It's like a follow me dance.

"Hopefully they get a little taste and want to come and watch the shows," she said.

Ms Kohunui was impressed with the number of people who had dressed up for the occasion.

"A lot of people are [dressed to theme] it's excellent, they are getting really into it.

Family-run artisan pasta business Pastamia has been attending the Rotorua Night Market for five years.

Luis Tredicucci from Pastamia said the markets had consistently grown, and had a positive atmosphere.

"We get regulars as well as lots of tourists and backpackers coming through, that has really increased over the years."

Night market attendee Gary Sullivan was impressed with the birthday celebrations.

"We come every Thursday, it's fantastic. It has gotten bigger and bigger. The Ciabatta Artisan bread has insane doughnuts and ciabatta bread. When the idea first came out I thought it was not going to work but now look at it, it's really great."