Fun and food at Maketu

A little rain hasn't kept food lovers from enjoying the Maketu Kaimoana Festival says co-ordinator Charles Peni.

Charles says he is impressed with the enjoy life and food at this year's festival.


Recycling team members Bailey Sunnex, 15, Travis Moke, 15, Pomare Butler, 15 and Hannah Pamment, 14 enjoying their time at the festival. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

'It's absolutely fantastic. You can't say that it's not good regardless of what the weathers doing, the people are here.”

Although there was some rain earlier on Charles says the weather gods had been generous and let the sun shine through.

'Prior to [the weather clearing] it just pelted down and all of a sudden it just stopped and it's been like this ever since. So we can't complain about that.”

Charles says all the stalls were proving popular with festival goers.

'You can't [pick] one particular vendor. The disruption is really good of people going to different vendors. One of the ones I've been impressed with, they call themselves the Belly Busters. They're selling corn from the far north and steak and pork, I think has come from the South Island.

'The kaimoana itself has come from distributors who are all licenced vendors. Te Arawa Seafoods are selling fresh oysters.”

The co-ordinator says there was a lot of great sea food on offer for people to try. But also children from the local school were also selling other healthy options such as watermelon ice blocks and fruit salads.

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.”

The event was held at the Maketu Sports Ground.


Tanisha Ruwhiu, Hiria Ngatai, and Maui Peita from Te Arawa Fresh with their seafood.

Front: Irene Taylor, Shane Gourlay, Eric Ashe, Daniel Batten and Keith Batten, back: Jamie Gordon and Salonica Eru, from Maketu Fire Service.

Dee Davis and Kaki Whare with their seafood.

Bailey Lynskey and Ike Tapsell with their oyster shots.




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