Whether you pronounce it oo-kulele or you-kulele, or just call it a uke, the Lauder Ukulele Festival organisers do not mind.
But if you want to know anything about the instrument, including how to play it, you should probably attend the festival over the Waitangi weekend next February.
The event has been planned since last Christmas, when a successful ukulele performance at the Lauder Hotel inspired the idea for something larger.
Organising committee member Esme Macdonald, of Lauder, said it began as a ''small thing'' and had grown to include ukulele workshops, markets and performances.
''We have been blown away by interest from all around the South Island.''
Fellow organising committee member Barry Bemrose, of Alexandra, said the ''grass-roots'' event would have about 12 ukulele groups from as far away as Christchurch playing, with ''easily'' 150 musicians in total.
The unknown for the event was how many people would attend.
Bruce MacDonald, Esme's husband, said depending on how the first event, to be held from February 5-8 next year, went, it could happen again.
''It's a dipping the toes in.''
It could be ''the biggest day we have had here next century'' if 300 people attended, he said.
Advertising had not begun yet, as the group had been working on the festival's website and obtaining funding and support.
Support was being provided through numerous sponsors and the group was applying for funding from the Central Lakes Trust.
Mrs Macdonald said the provisional budget was about $10,000.
The group did not expect to make money from the event.
''What we really want is for people to go away having enjoyed themselves, enjoyed Lauder, and made some new friends.''
Mrs Macdonald said the nearest similar event was held in Geraldine.
Ukulele festivals were more common at the moment due to a ''wave of interest''.
The free event would be held on the village green in Lauder, next to the hotel. More information was available on www.lauderukefest.com
By the way, the proper pronunciation is oo-koo-ley-ley, harking back to the instrument's origins in Hawaii. However, ukulele festival organisers think that is quite ''proper''.
