Release of A Taste of Matarangi Festival Programme

The festival programme runs from 10:00 am until late afternoon, and with its seaside atmosphere and family-friendly ticket pricing, A Taste of Matarangi is a day you don't want to miss. By buying your tickets and attending, you will also be supporting this year's chosen charities Kuaotunu Search & Rescue and Te Rerenga School.

Official opening of festival

The countdown to April 1st has begun, so get ready to groove to the great local music and bring an empty stomach so you can sample everything from the fabulous food stalls. A Taste of Matarangi festival is back, and it's time to celebrate!

The festival opens at 10:00 am with the official opening by local iwi Ngati Huarere. The Te Rerenga Kapa Haka group will follow with a captivating performance for festival goers. Next up is the Whitianga Dixieland Band, presenting a selection of New Orleans jazz tunes that will get your feet tapping.

Throughout the day, there will be continuous entertainment and activities for everyone to enjoy. The event MC will be providing ongoing information to patrons between each band, while the Dunes Golf competition and Eventfun Waikato rides and activities will keep families entertained. For the children, there is also a reserve playground, and raffles will be available for purchase at the merchandise tent.

Mandy Meadows duo will offer some low-key acoustic sets, and the Pow Wow trio, consisting of experienced musicians, will mix and reimagine all your favorite hits from the 70’s/80’s/90’s to modern-day sounds. The boys have a relentless fun vibe that keeps the dance floor pumping, and you will enjoy a unique set filled with twists and turns that you most likely have never heard before.

Famous Charity Auction

The festival will also have a charity auction supporting Kuaotunu Search & Rescue and the Te Rerenga School. There will be a raffle draw at 2:45 pm, and Sound Republic will close the event with their intense energy and impressive collective resume.

The festival closes at 4:30 pm, but before that, make sure to grab some delicious food from the food vendors available all day. The festival also features a charity bucket drop, where patrons have an opportunity to donate towards the event charities after the auction.

2023 Event Programme

• 10:00am - Festival opens
• 10:15am - Welcome - Official opening by local iwi Ngati Huarere
• 10.30am - Te Rerenga Kapa Haka group  (confirm name)
• 10:45am - Whitianga Dixieland Band – Presenting a selection of New Orleans jazz tunes. From cruisey blues to foot stomping swing music, Dixieland music is the original unplugged, good times groove. 
• 12:00pm - Mandy Meadows duo – This male & female duo LOVE to play music and will be offering some low key acoustic sets.
• 1:00pm - Charity auction – supporting Kuaotunu Search & Rescue and the Te Rerenga School
• 1:30pm - Pow Wow - Pow Wow is made up of experienced musicians Josh Pow – singer/guitarist, Nick Ririnui – Drums and Marc Raymond Joseph - Bass. This Mt Maunganui treasured trio, mix and reimagine all your favourite hits from the 70’s/80’s/90’s to modern day sounds.
  The boys have a relentless fun vibe that keeps the dance floor pumping. You will enjoy a unique set filled with twists and turns that you most likely have never heard before!
• 2:45pm - Raffle draw - Raffles are on sale from 10am until 2pm at the raffle tent  
• 3:00pm - Sound Republic - Made up of New Zealand's finest young musicians, with a highly impressive collective resume, Sound Republic brings an intense energy to the stage, backed up with a wealth of experience! A cover band that not only focuses on classic hits of the 70’s and 80’s, these guys rock out with chart toppers from the 90’s, 00’s and 10’s. Comprising of Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keys, Electric Violin and 2x Lead Vocalists, Sound Republic turn it on and WOW audiences of all ages! 
• 4:00pm - Alcohol sales close
• 4:30pm - Festival closes.

For more event information please see the All About Whitianga Events pages