Thousands of Tūhoe tribal members will descend on Rotorua this weekend as the bi-ennial Hui Ahurei ā Tūhoe festival hits town.
More than 15,000 people were expected to attend the three-day event featuring kapa haka, sports, debates and more.
The festival has been held within the Tūhoe region in the heartland of Te Urewera for almost 50 years - but this Easter weekend returns to Rotorua where it was first held in 1974.
Rob Kemp is the site co-ordinator for the Ahurei and said it had been special working at the event for the first time.
Mr Kemp grew up in Gisborne and lost connection to his whānau, who come from Te Urewera settlement Ruatahuna.
"My koro died when my mum was young we grew up not really knowing our whānau from the hills," he said.
Mr Kemp said he was still learning about his Tūhoe background, but knew the strong reputation the iwi held.
"They've always been staunch to who they are - that's something I'm really really proud of."
The Ahurei was first held at Matātua Marae in Rotorua.
Te Manatu Ahurea o Tūhoe chair Pou Temara said Tūhoe leader John Rangihau set up the Ahurei for those who moved away from the homelands.
He said more than 80 percent of Tūhoe now lived outside the tribal region.
But over the years, Mr Temara said the Ahurei had allowed them to come together to play sports, sing, debate and strengthen their Tūhoe identity.
"It binds them to Tuuhoe with a very Tūhoe concept of mate mate a one - and that is unity that's woven into the land from where we trace our whakapapa to."
Tūhoe now finds itself in the post-Treaty of Waitangi settlement phase, and Pou Te Mara expected the kapa haka stage would be alight with bold political statements.
"We sang about those things we composed haka about pre-settlement," Mr Temara said.
"And no doubt we will compose, waiata, poi about post-settlement."
For Te Area Whau Whau, the Ahurei is all about the iwi coming back to celebrate their Tūhoetanga.
"It's good that they're able to come back to a place where they're comfortable where they feel like they're at home," he said.
Mr Whau Whau will be performing for the group Hinemataroa mo Ruatahuna in the senior kapa haka competition.
He said his rōpu's performances would be a tribute to those leaders who set up the Ahurei.
The Ahurei kicks off tomorrow with the start of the junior Kapa Haka competition.
