- 7th NZ Polynesian Festival -
Tamatea Arikinui singing the choral item "E pari ra", were first in the
Choral section in 1979. (composed by the late Paraire Tomoana).
- The origins of the Polynesian Festival goes back to 1970. That was the
year that Māori converged on Rotorua to welcome the Queen.
The cultural performances on that occasion were magnificent, prompting
Māori leaders to ask the question was it posible for our leading cultural teams
to meet regularly in competition. The answer was yes .
Rotorua hosted the first National competition in 1972 and again in 1973. From
then onwards the Festival was held every second year, 1975 in Whangarei,
1977, Gisborne, 1979 Lower Hutt, and 1981 in Auckland.
The Tomoana Showgrounds in Hastings is the venue for the 1983 7th Festival.
- Kaikōrero : Ossie Huata co-ordinator of the event, talking with Hēnare te Ua
about issues leading up to the opening of the Festival.
- Waiata-a-ringa: Rongomai wahine - Te Aute and Hukarere.