Hundreds at Paraweka Marae for Whanganui River hunting festival

A team gives its all in a tug of war at Pipiriki's Paraweka Marae. Photo/ Supplied

A 200kg-plus boar and some large red stags were the biggest animals hunted down for the Paraweka Marae Hunting & Food Festival, organiser Chris Kumeroa says.

About 170 adult hunters and 50 younger hunters headed off to hunt Māori land blocks on April 27, and returned with their prey for the prizegiving and festival on April 29. Some had come from Auckland and Wellington.

One of the purposes of the annual festivals is to bring Whanganui River people home to see their whānaunga (relatives), Kumeroa said.

"There were a few non-Māori teams there, which was great, and an all-female group for the first time ever."

About 12 pigs were weighed up in the competition, with the biggest over 200kg, and there were also red and fallow deer.

"The size of the reds was bigger than last year," Kumeroa said.

About 700 peole came through the gate at the Pipiriki marae for the festival. They included kaumatua and Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall.

With the hunters, stallholders and many volunteers there were about 1000 there.

A stage area was set up, with sound handled by Des Te Weri, and entertainment by bands and by Whanganui's kaumatua kaunihera. Lequan Meihana and Jay Rerekura were the MCs.

There was a wide variety of stalls, including one selling "river burgers".

People gathered in for the prizegiving. It began with thanks to the 15 key kaimahi (workers) who made it happen, and about 25 young people were presented with firearms certificates.

Children got spot prizes, as well as prizes for animals they had hunted. Then individual adult hunters and hunting teams stepped up for their prizes.

All up, Kumeroa said about $15,000 worth of prizes were given out. The main sponsors were Ridgeline, Wilson's Hunting & Fishing, Te Puni Kokiri and Te Mana o te Awa.

Whanganui kaumatua John Maihi accepted the role of putting on next year's hunting competition and festival, on behalf of Ngā Paerangi and Kaiwhaiki Marae. Other marae are lined up for the following years.

When all costs are paid, Paraweka Marae should get about $10,000, Kumeroa said.

"It will be fantastic for them."