Enjoying Waitangi Day

The sun made a welcome return for Waitangi Day and the spirit of celebration was in the air as locals in Wanganui and Patea enjoyed the day's activities.

There was entertainment for the many who came, and the food stalls did a roaring trade at PaePae in the Park at Patea.

Delicious creamed paua and fried bread and generous whitebait fritters - the small delicacy from the Patea River, beckoned hungry punters.

South Taranaki schools and Patea Free Kindergarten's colourful flags fluttered in the southerly breeze which held on to compete with the sun.

At Pakaitore/Moutoa Gardens there was a laid-back festival atmosphere and the food stalls were busy while musicians entertained the crowd.

For a first outing, country came to town and set up their displays and demonstrations at Cooks Gardens in Wanganui.

The Baa-Blacks racing sheep were a novelty racing toward the finish line and food.

A short head and yard demonstration similar to hill trials, saw heading dogs muster three sheep on a course from the bell tower to a pen on the field.

Fencers demonstrated how they built fences, and children tried milking a cow.