Festival kicks off summer in Bay of Islands

The It! Bay of Islands Food and Wine Festival show in Paihia on Saturday, 7 October, 2023.

Where’s Wally? Friends of a Dargaville bride-to-be enjoy the festival and a hen party in one.
Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

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.

Tiki Taane, performing solo, was the festival’s headline act.
Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Auckland-based Latin Aotearoa soon had the crowd on their feet.
Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

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.

Georgia, aka the Fudgeywudgey Chef, competes in the cooking challenge.
Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Afternoon’s rain did little to dampen the party.

Kāeo sisters Shelley and Vicky Crosby came prepared for any weather.
Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

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.