Tineka Ione and Hannah Packer with their otai drinks from Mama Sela's Polynesian Treats at Te Matatini. Photo: ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ
It wouldn't be a Summer festival without ducking off to the food trucks for a feed, and at Te Matatini, the national kapa haka competition, it is no different.
Although in Ngamotu this week, you were more likely to see hāngī, paua fritters or chop suey on the menuboards than burgers and fries.
At the Pātea Hāngī Shop, stall co-owner Kushette Jelley was expecting to serve about 1000 meals a day.
"It's been more hectic than we thought in getting our processes all together, but just the whole feel of the event has been amazing and we've really enjoyed it and we're glad we put our hand up."
As well as hāngī she had a range of specialist pies on offer.
Te Arani Huia travelled from Christchurch for Te Matatini - she could not resist the Pātea Hāngī Shop offering.
"Their kai just looked yummy and I enjoy seafood. I have a paua pie here and some ika mata or rawfish."
The pie did not disappoint.
"It's yummy. The paua filling is good and there's lots of pastry. It's a lovely crispy pie."
Across at Te Kotahu Hangi Kai the crew was singing waiata during a break in performances at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth.
Dutch visitor Rosemary Classens was loving it.
"We wanted to see the real people from New Zealand and we are staying in Whanganui. It's two hours to drive but we said we have a free day so we drove here. It is very pretty, beautiful and these young people, young women and they sing also beautifully."
She did not try hāngī but that did not bother Waitara youngster Nikki, who was feeling the Te Matatini vibes.
"We're just providing entertainment and giving people some beautiful waiata while they wait for the kapa haka to start up again. Just for the enjoyment."
The Te Kotahu Hangi Kai team had taken inspiration from the young men from Te Kawa o Rongo working at the frybread stall next door.
"We started off with a haka and it just became a competition and we heard them singing and we we're like, yeah cool," said Rehua Wilson-Joyce.
Rehua Wilson-Joyce leads his Te Kawa o Rongo in a haka at Te Matatini. Photo: ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ
"I guess you could just say it's all the manakitanga of Te Matatini Te Kahui Maunga. We're just in the haka spirit, you know, the kapa haka spirit."
Meanwhile, Renata Mason had found some interesting kai.
"I've got a mussel fritter. Kai moana everytime, but the mussel fritter drew me in. It's reka, namunamuā."
Sweet treats were also going down well in the searing temperatures.
Nicole Samson-Martin travelled from Mitimiti in the Hokianga and her business Smashed Strawbs was doing a roaring trade.
Smashed Strawbs was doing a roaring trade. Photo: ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ
"We do chocolate covered strawberries, but we do all sorts of delicious desserts. We're a small whānau business and here today is me and my three sisters and my husband.
"It's been super busy which has been nice and really big numbers."
Heka and Cree of Palmerston North were fans of Smashed Strawbs which would be back for the Womad festival in two weeks.
"I got some some delicious strawberries covered in chocolate. It's great. Fresh fruit yum and a M&M croffle. Croissant and waffle in one, yum," said Heka.
Cree was developing a taste for the stall's offerings.
Smashed Strawbs' desserts. Photo: ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ
"I also got strawberries covered in chocolate. This is my second one of the day. I had one for breakfast this morning and it was great so I had to get another one. You can never go wrong with chocolate."
Mama Sela's Polynesian Treats stall was also proving popular.
Hāwera's Hannah Packer was also a second time visitor for the day.
"I've got a mixed 'otai. It's got watermelon and pineapple pieces and juice. I don't know what the juice mixture is but it's yum."
Te Matatini Te Kahui Maunga will wrap up on Saturday.
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