The 10th FLAVA Festival, ‘Kā Toi Māori o Aoraki’ was held 19 August at the Theatre Royal. There were 18 kura and 12 early childhood centres from the Aoraki region, between the Waitaki and Rakaia rivers, who joined us for the ‘Korohi o Te Pēpi’ (singing of the babies).
The FLAVA festival provides students with an opportunity to discover and experience a breath-taking lens into Te Ao Māori (the world of Māori), and an opportunity to showcase and view their wonderful talent. At the same time, whānau, friends and the wider community were able to enjoy a truly bicultural festival comprised of three categories: kapa haka (traditional dance and waiata), performing arts (waiata, whaikōrero, short stage drama, music, dance and other stage performances) and visual arts (two- and three-dimensional paintings, drawings, sculptures, and weaving).
The festival was organised by Arowhenua Whānau Services, alongside a steering group that included teachers and a number of community organisations.
Once again, the festival was a huge success, with the Theatre Royal and Caroline Bay Hall being packed to capacity for the full day. Groups that had clearly devoted long hours to perfecting their skills treated the audience to some incredibly colourful and exciting performances.
One of the rōpū performing at FLAVA Festival.
Tamariki prepare to take the stage.
