New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has granted Te Manatu Ahurea o Tūhoe Charitable Trust $50,000 to cover essential lighting and stage setup for the Tūhoe Ahurei festival in Waimana this Easter, ensuring the event can continue to celebrate and preserve Tūhoe culture while bringing together iwi members from across New Zealand and beyond.

Spokesperson Wena Harawira says the funding will be instrumental in staging a vibrant, safe, and engaging event for the thousands of expected participants.

“This generous support will enable us to showcase Tūhoe iwi’s culture through a range of activities. It helps us ensure the Tūhoe Ahurei will run smoothly, especially with the need for additional lighting after daylight savings ends.”

The Tūhoe Ahurei, a key festival in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, brings together over 15,000 participants for kapa haka, rugby, netball, and traditional Māori ball sport Kī-o-rahi. The event attracts people from across New Zealand and even Australia to celebrate Tūhoe culture and maintain important tribal connections.

Mr Harawira remembers when a child how the festival was held on a single marae with a dirt stage and people seated on the grass.

“This year we’ve got a fully equipped stage with lighting, a sound system, and a big LED screen. We also have a backdrop and branding. It costs a lot of money to stage it all and cater for all the different teams staying at local marae.”

NZCT’s general manager of grants, marketing and communications Ben Hodges said they were delighted to support this event which celebrated culture, whānau and having fun.