A bumper turnout to a meat-free Vegan Expo in Whangarei surprised the organisers and ensures the event will be held again.
More than 700 people turned up to Whangarei Intermediate School on Saturday for the inaugural Vegan Expo, and organiser Cathy Duffield of Whangarei Vegans said the number was pleasing, especially because organisers did not know how well it would be received.
"We had no idea how many people would come along, being the first time, but we are very happy with the turnout and the stallholders were happy as a result."
Ms Duffield said the expo would definitely return, but whether it was every year or every two years was still being worked out.
"There's a group of only seven people who did all the planning for it, and we will do it again, it's just we're still working out when."