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Mondor Festival

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New Awanui Day venue proves popular with thousands at Far North town’s celebrations
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New Awanui Day venue proves popular with thousands at Far North town’s celebrations

The Awanui Progressive and Ratepayers Association is behind the event and the aim was to make Awanui the center of activity – and a real destination – for people traveling to Cape Reinga.

In addition to the bike ride and entertainment, Awanui Day was an excellent opportunity to showcase the arts, crafts and artisan producers of the Far North.

This year the venue has changed slightly, with everything set up at the Awanui Reserve and playground, so the tamariki can play while the adults relax, listen to music, grab a bite to eat and visit the stalls, the all in the same place.

Jez Te Wake, from Hokianga, on Awanui Day.
Jez Te Wake, from Hokianga, on Awanui Day.

The change of venue caused some consternation, but reactions on the reservation were overwhelmingly supportive of the change.

Every person from the Far North Northern Age gave his approval to the new location, with comments such as: “much better, much safer”; “a great place to get together with Whanau and friends and enjoy the day”; “it’s so much safer than risking your life on the highway”; “you can sit and make room here to have kai and meet up with friends”; and “I was a little worried at first, but the preserve is the right place for the whole family to really enjoy.”

Bill Subritzky of Northland Ridershas been involved in organizing the event for almost three decades and said there has been nothing but excellent feedback about the new venue.

Angelique Collingwood, from Waipapakauri, with her "rider" Cooper, 2, who was excited to be at Awanui Day.
Angelique Collingwood, from Waipapakauri, with her 2-year-old ‘date’ Cooper, who was excited to be at Awanui Day.

“The new venue was really the natural place for it and the stockpile was set up for these kinds of big events,” Subritzky said.

“At first there were mixed feelings (about the change), but it’s been great, and everyone seems to enjoy having a lot more space to move around, gather and enjoy the big kai and the events that we organize.

He said it was a big risk that there was so much happening next to State Highway 1, with families and children having to risk crossing the road, that moving seemed like the logical idea.

“It’s much better for families and children to have everything in one place on the reserve. »

Twelve-year-old Emily-Eva Pio performed at Awanui Day, with her wonderful voice filling the air with songs, including her original numbers Nga Iwi Katoa and He Whenua Taua.
Twelve-year-old Emily-Eva Pio performed at Awanui Day, with her wonderful voice filling the air with songs, including her original numbers Nga Iwi Katoa and He Whenua Taua.

Eli Foy, 9, Jackson Naera, 9, and Tiana Naera, 6, raised money for the Muriwhenua basketball team's upcoming trip with a stall at Awanui Day.
Eli Foy, 9, Jackson Naera, 9, and Tiana Naera, 6, raised money for the Muriwhenua basketball team’s upcoming trip with a stall at Awanui Day.

Darren Ax of The Hit Man Killer Coffee was a popular place to stop for Awanui Day on Saturday.
Darren Ax of The Hit Man Killer Coffee was a popular place to stop for Awanui Day on Saturday.

Ellen Newby, from Awanui, carefully chooses her costume - a different costume every year - for the annual Awanui Day celebrations. This year it was Steampunk.
Ellen Newby, from Awanui, carefully chooses her costume – a different costume every year – for the annual Awanui Day celebrations. This year it was Steampunk.

Reg Payne, Vanessa Sucich-Coupland and Sue Curtis raised money for Kaitāia's Golden Years Cat Rescue - which finds homes for older cats.
Reg Payne, Vanessa Sucich-Coupland and Sue Curtis raised money for Kaitāia’s Golden Years Cat Rescue – which finds homes for older cats.

Awanui School had a fundraising stall on Awanui Day, with Megan Webby making a sale to Callum Foy, 9, Mason Naera, 11, and Mason Subritzky.
Awanui School had a fundraising stall on Awanui Day, with Megan Webby making a sale to Callum Foy, 9, Mason Naera, 11, and Mason Subritzky.

Aiden Naysmith and Kylie Stewart, with their children Jack Naysmith, 3, and Charlie Naysmith, 2, loved the new Awanui Day venue on the Awanui Reserve.
Aiden Naysmith and Kylie Stewart, with their children Jack Naysmith, 3, and Charlie Naysmith, 2, loved the new Awanui Day venue on the Awanui Reserve.

Ava Gardiner, who now lives in Te Puke, and Marlene Sexton from Waipapakauri met at Awanui Day.
Ava Gardiner, who now lives in Te Puke, and Marlene Sexton from Waipapakauri met at Awanui Day.

Fundraising for Kareponia Marae on Awanui Day was carried out by Donna Subritzky, Debbie Dorman, Eva Subritzky and Kahlia Hughes.
Fundraising for Kareponia Marae on Awanui Day was carried out by Donna Subritzky, Debbie Dorman, Eva Subritzky and Kahlia Hughes.

Paane Thomas, Ururaiha Awarau and Mauri Awarau, from Kaitāia, with Anaru Tukau and Baz Bristow, from South Auckland, and Nini Albert, from Tūrangi, caught up with the kai on Awanui Day.
On Awanui Day, Paane Thomas, Ururaiha Awarau and Mauri Awarau, from Kaitāia, with Anaru Tukau and Baz Bristow, from South Auckland, and Nini Albert, from Tūrangi, caught up with the kai.