Seafood and fun at festival

One of Bay of Plenty's favourite festivals gets underway today with music, art and fine cuisine defining a community's culture and form a sense of connection and unity.

A large variety of musicians, artists and chefs will bring the community together at the ninth annual Maketu Kaimoana Festival at Maketu Sports Ground this Waitangi Day weekend.


Maketu artist Robyn Williams will be exhibiting her artwork at the ninth annual Maketu Kaimoana Festival.

Rotary Club of Maketu president David Campbell says the seafood festival is the major annual fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Maketu, with all proceeds going to helping the community.

'Over the years the festival has generated quite a substantial amount of money to support charities like the fire brigade, coastguard, and surf lifesaving club. We reach beyond Maketu to our neighbouring villages including Pukehina, Pongakawa, Paengaroa, which have benefited from our fundraising.

'We've raised close to $200,000 over the years.”

Along with vendors offering seafood chowder, raw fish salads, salt and pepper squid, kina, mussels, oysters, and more – the festival will also feature music, children's entertainment, and art exhibitions.

Maketu artist Robyn Williams has exhibited her contemporary Maori art at the festival for the last three years.

The 37-year-old artist has been painting since primary school, and enjoys keeping Maori legends and whakapapa [genealogy] alive with her artwork.

'For me it's about keeping it alive and it's a big form of communication. It's probably one of the most important things in the marae when it comes to storytelling because you have that visual to reiterate what has been said to you from kaumatua [elders].

While Robyn enjoys exhibiting her artwork at the Kaimoana Festival, she also enjoys snacking on some of the seafood during her lunch breaks.

'I always go for scallops, pan-fried on skewers,” says Robyn. 'I just try a bit of everything really.”

The Kaimoana Festival is at Maketu Sports Ground today from 12pm-6pm. Tickets are available at www.eventfinda.co.nz

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