Piritahi Marae kaumatua Wally Manahi with Waitangi Day organisers Jane Scorey (left) and Jeanine Clarkin. Mr Manahi heaped praise on the two women for its success. “It was awesome,” he said after hundreds of visitors visited the marae for a day of multicultural celebrations.

Huhana Davis, marae committee member and one of the organisers, said she had never seen the grounds in Blackpool so packed with visitors and residents.

“It was particularly noticeable how many foreign visitors came here to share cultures and enjoy the day,” she said.

“We’ve had people coming up to us and saying ‘Greetings from America’, ‘Greetings from Britain’, ‘Greetings from France’. It has been great to have had so many people from around the world here.”

The day started with a powhiri karakia led by Reverend Peter Stead representing the island’s combined churches, followed by a speech contest, with prizes awarded to winners by former MP and marae member Sandra Lee.

Shortly afterwards, the day’s MC James Kara had the large crowd playing clapping games before Hot Hula teachers Lee Ann Ah-Chong and Whetu Falo took over to get them up and dancing.

Meanwhile, there were stalls to visit, run by community groups such as Living Without Violence and market traders selling clothing, jewellery and crafts.

People wanting a snack before the lunchtime hangi had plenty of choice, with a sausage sizzle and crepes for sale along with candyfloss for the children. 

Above – Hot Hula’s Lee Ann Ah-Chong gets everyone joining in.

People lazed on the lawn to eat,  listened to a variety of bands in front of the marae or sat near the stream at the back across which children were swinging. 

Nearby, young ones were engaged in specially organised activities involving play-dough, paints or other crafts as well as having ample opportunity to let off steam on the bouncy castle next to the marae’s meeting house.

Kaumatua Wally Manahi hailed the celebration as a big success and paid tribute to organisers Jane Scorey and Jeanine Clarkin.

“This is the biggest crowd we’ve had on the marae and I think these two women here have done a very good job of organising everything.”

He said it had been important to have had the co-operation of the combined churches and the Reverend Peter Stead and hoped to continue the association for a long time to come.

“It has been a great day of fun and collaboration. It’s been awesome,” he said.

• Diana Worthy