Kawhia Kai Festival

Kai time in Kāwhia. Kawhia is turning on the kai once again to celebrate Waitangi Day with some traditional flavours.

Now in its 7th year, The Kawhia Kai Festival attracts some 10,000 visitors to a feast of music and entertainment, as well as contemporary and traditional Māori cuisine.

Among the more than 25 kai stalls, four local Kāwhia marae will each have a stall dedicated just to hāngi – the most well-known and well-sort after variety of traditional Māori kai.

Other traditional and contemporary Māori kai to sample during the Festival includes toroi (marinated mussels and pūhā), creamed pāua and kina, īnanga (whitebait patties), kānga wai/pirau (fermented corn), pūhā and pork spring rolls, pāwhara (smoked fish and eel) as well as the local Waikato delicacy - kōkī (shark liver pate).

As a Festival to celebrate Waitangi Day for all New Zealanders, the event also showcases Māori arts and crafts with demonstrations of rāranga (traditional flax weaving), and tā-moko (traditional tattooing).

Visitors will also be able to enjoy more than two hours of kapahaka performed by Waikato regional kapahaka groups - Ngāti Māhanga Whānui from Whatawhata, and Te Whare Wānaga students.

Held on Ōmiti Reserve by the shores of the tranquil Kāwhia Harbour on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, the Festival is a unique celebration of Māori cuisine and is rated by The Lonely Planet Travel Guide as one of the top ten must see Māori experiences for visitors to visit.

Attracting New Zealanders of all ages and backgrounds, gate entry will be $10 for adults, $5 for those 12 years and under, and children 5 years and under are free.

Event listed by Brucegatwardcook

View their other events or contact promoter