KARANGA HOKIANGA KI O TAMARIKI

PANGURU, A FESTIVAL OF FAITH.

On Saturday 21st of October, 1978 Father Hēnare Taite opened the two day Festival of Faith at Panguru. Prayers were offered during the raising of three flags. The first, a tribute to their tūpuna, Tamatea, the second a parish flag of Hato Petera, St Peter, the third a special flag for the festival. A traditional pōwhiri for manuhiri and the official party of the Catholic diocese, included a number of young people performing action songs and haka.

Winds, which brought down marquees, did not dampen the spirits of those organising and attending the festival. Apart from various cultural art forms and activities, there was a magnificent display of paintings of the Māori Madonna. St Joseph’s School of Panguru also celebrated their 60th Anniversary during the festival. Various shots of groups working to cater for over 4000 people. The theme of the festival was to get people to return to Hokianga where the Catholic faith began in NZ.