High country hāngī event celebrates special environment
Harakeke weaving, hunting for tiny aquatic invertebrates and enjoying a delicious hāngī!
About 80 people from the Ōmarama community had a fantastic day out at Ōmarama Station at a special event hosted by the Upper Waitaki Water Zone Committee on Friday 17 May.
It was a big collective effort with almost all of the the kai being sourced locally and a very early start for the volunteers who prepared the hāngī, led by the zone committee’s rūnanga representatives.
Children from Ōmarama School investigated what lives in the local waterways (with help from the EOS Ecology Wai Connection team), learned to weave harakeke and sang a beautiful waiata for the crowd.
The grownups – including members of the local farming catchment groups – joined in as well, and were treated to hot drinks from the local Rural Support Trust.
Host and zone committee member, Richard Subtil, said the event was all about bringing the local community together to enjoy the special environment.
“It’s a last chance, before the colder, darker days of winter, for us to come together with people of all ages and enjoy a meal together.”
The Upper Waitaki Water Zone Committee's next public meeting will be in mid-July. Details will be announced closer to the time.
Students investigating the life in our waterways