Despite their warlike appearance, waves of pacifist warriors were seriously intent on not hurting each other during a mock "Battle of Blueskin" this week.
Trying to figure out exactly what was going on during the satirical ‘‘pacifist warfare’’ clashes in Waitati on Tuesday proved too much for some participants, and some faintly puzzled onlookers.
Nevertheless, some facts were clear: a group of Clan McGillicuddy invaders, dressed as corporate raiders, and many from out of town, engaged in battle with Waitati Militia members, near the Blueskin Public Library in Harvey St, Waitati, at 1pm.
Mark Servian, of Hamilton, played the role of Thane Gordonton, chief executive of corporate raiders Geoffies Development.
In the satirical scenario, the raiders planned to establish a lucrative eco-colony in Waitati, but rather than establishing a "gated community" for the wealthy, it was proposed that Waitati residents be restrained behind state-of-the-art fences, giving wealthy newcomers free rein.
Because some Waitati residents, including the Waitati Militia, were objecting, Geoffies Development had deployed its own in-house security squad, Mr Servian said with a smile.
A sizeable section of Evans St was closed throughout the nearly hour-long battle, and the later clean-up, partly to remove spilled flour and many flour bombs.
Towards the end of the 1pm battle, local leader Mandy Mayhem read from a recently discovered Treaty of Waitati, and declared "we are the champions".
Mr Servian added that "we had some fun and we showed that play is still a thing".
Within a kaleidoscope of rapidly changing images in the battle, a big catapult machine rained confetti and petals on unsuspecting opponents.
One warrior started throwing peas, and called out "Give Peas a Chance".
The Waitati Volunteer Fire Brigade also turned up a couple of times and sprayed some cooling water, including on a few warriors who had become too hot and bothered.
And at one point late in the battle, the respective warriors offered a live "slow motion" replay of the previous skirmish.
"A big part of it is the whole Waitati community coming together," Waitati resident Sam Hamilton said.
"It’s a lot of fun."
