The Maori New Year festival, which was held at Manchester Park rugby grounds in Waimate, was a collaboration between Rural Schoolers Early Learning Centre manager Paula Rogers and Waihao Marae.
It was originally envisaged it would involve just Waimate pre-schools but in the end, 13 schools, pre-schools and primary schools from throughout the Waimate district attended the festival.
Marku Davis said the idea had started as "a dream" of Mrs Rogers and he was thrilled the festival had attracted such a large crowd.
The response from the general community had been so enthusiastic that the idea "just took off," he said.
Given yesterday's response to the festival, there would be plans to hold it again next year, he said.
John Kairimu said the Waihao Marae had been happy to help organise the festival after being approached by Mrs Rogers. He said he managed to count 620 people entering the festival, before he lost count.
