...something a bit different:
~lots of waka (canoes)
~lots of ta moko (facial tattoos) - some real and some drawn on for the waka parade - the two men in my photos had real moko
~hongi (Maori greeting where noses are pushed together)
~part of Turangawaewae Marae
~waka hurdling (first time I've seen this)
~my fellow photographers @thrumylenz, @yorkshirekiwi and @alfredrico
We went to Turangawaewae Marae Regatta today where there was waka racing; a parade of ceremonial waka taua (war canoes); kapa haka (Maori performances); wood chopping competitions; information, craft and food stalls; and rides and inflatables for the kids. Turangawaewae is the Marae of the Maori King. The waka were rowed passed the king and other dignitaries and the men in the waka bowed as they went past. The parade was quite a spectacle.
