Ceremonies begin with a karanga

The setting sun tinted the sky red, birds circled and waka are paddled ashore to a formal greeting by Ngai Tahu kaumatua Michael Skerrett and watched by several hundred people on the Queenstown foreshore to open this year’s Queenstown Winter Festival. Photos: Stephen Jaquiery.

Two waka glided into a candle-lit beach to open the 43rd Queenstown Winter Festival yesterday.

Crewed by members of the Wakatipu Waka Ama Club and paddlers from Invercargill, the waka were called ashore in Queenstown Bay with a karanga.

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Watched by hundreds of people lining the waterfront, the paddlers were welcomed by Ngai Tahu kaumatua Michael Skerrett and dignitaries including Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett and Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult.

The ceremony then moved across the bay to a stage in Earnslaw Park, where the crowd warmly responded to a Maori and English rendition of Welcome to My World by Mr Skerrett and a stirring performance by Wakatipu High School’s kapa haka group.

Mrs Bennett told the crowd the resort was a place of four seasons, but "something special" in winter.

"This is our gateway, this is our jewel — we absolutely love this community."

Mr Boult said the group of locals who got together 43 years ago "to have a festival and have some fun" had created an enduring event that reflected the resort’s extraordinary cultural diversity.

The festival continues until Sunday night.