Hangi

Every year, if the stars align, the school puts on a community hangi. A hangi is the Maori version of a pig roast, an underground oven feast. It takes some technical know how to build a big fire and cook food for 250 people and luckily the school secretary's brother has it.

Hangi setup prior to lighting. Note modern version--instead of hot rocks in the fire tower it's metal car parts! The car parts are said to hold the heat in the same way that large rocks used to.

A hangi is not to be confused with a hongi, the greeting in which you exchange each other's breath of life

I spent the morning chopping starchy veggies with other school parents. 

The Kumara (a sweet potato like tuber) Women.

The kids took time out of classes to help chop and assemble the meals

Hacking away at New Zealand pumpkin takes a strong arm

Each foil packet included a chicken drumstick, pork, lamb, kumara, potato, pumpkin, stuffing and cabbage. All steamed underground in a pit for 6 hours.

They lit the fire at noon and let it burn down and the packages were then added and covered with blankets and dirt.

The preschool and school kids all gathered to watch the fire being lit.

The kids all sang a karakia and then they unveiled the pit. A great evening out on the grassy field,  with everyone enjoying the community feast.