The it! festival in the Bay of Islands brought a taste of summer to Paihia on Saturday, after years of cancellations due to Covid and extreme weather.
More than 1500 people spent the day sampling the region's food and beverages, dancing to live bands, and celebrating the return of Northland's summer festivals.
Entertainment included a cocktail mixing challenge, a cook-off judged by top chefs, the irresistible beats of Latin Aotearoa, classic covers by polished local band Hands Off, and headline act Tiki Taane, former lead singer for Salmonella Dub, performing solo.
Afternoon's rain did little to dampen the party.
Many are hoping the Paihia event will mark a return to Northland summers of old, punctuated by concerts and music festivals.
Still to come are the Kerikeri Street Party on 18 November, a new festival at Kerikeri's Packhouse Market on 29 December, and the Bay of Islands Music Festival at Waitangi in January.
Reporter Peter de Graaf went along to the festival