bs] The spiritual director of a Palmerston North Catholic kapa haka group says cultural events and sport have always been the two biggest drawcards of the Maori Catholic Easter celebration.
Hundreds of Katorika [Catholics] have just spent four days together in Opononi, on Northland's Hokianga Harbour, for the Hui Aranga event which has been held every Easter since 1946.
Danny Karatia-Goddard says the activities allow people to assert their faith in lots of different ways.
He says Catholics and non-Catholics alike are drawn to the Hui Aranga for the chance to participate in kapa haka, sports and the run of competitions in relation to the Easter theme of the risen Christ.
In the senior haka results: Parikino 1st, Ruapehu 2nd, Tauranga 3rd.