Ngapuhi Festival 2012

The biennial two-day Ngapuhi Festival is on again, January 28-29, 2012.

Features Toi Ngapuhi, a world-class arts exhibition, professionally curated by Colleen Urlich and in the past has featured talented artists such as Shane Cotton, Kura Rewiri, Clive Aldridge, Te Rongo Kirkwood, Manos Nathan, Toi Te Rito Maihi and Theresa Reihana. The event included painting, sculpture, glasswork, pottery, fashion, jewellery, photography and ta moko for exhibition and sale.

Themes emerging were from the past and contemporary including whakapapa, politics, times and events important to each artist and whenua.

The 2011 exhibition will also see the return of a number of Ngāpuhi taonga from the Auckland Museum for public display for the first time, including a self portrait of Hongi Hika.

Also new to the festival is Iron Ngapuhi, a 34.5km course that takes in the best of the Mid North on a path to Kaikohe.

The festival also includes a number of stalls, wananga, tamariki rides and entertainment for both young and old, all at no cost.

Come along to join the festivities and celebrate being Ngapuhi with the largest iwi in New Zealand.