Mussels, hāngi, fried bread, sorbet and star cookies - all in a warm, winter-themed dining room. The annual Matariki dinner was a cosy event for the boarding community.

As invited guests, we were ushered into a beautifully-lit dining room, decorated with woven harekeke flowers, pebbles from Orepuki (Gemstone) Beach and fairy lights. Renee Mosley welcomed us and opened the evening with karakia. 

Between courses we were treated to a te reo rendition of 'Don't Forget Your Roots,' sung by Portia Chambers and accompanied by the four-guitar ensemble of Maia Macdonald, Sienna Harper, Alannah Kys and Orla Cox.

Table groups were a mixture of students of different ages, boarding staff and guests, giving opportunity for a variety of conversation through the evening. 

Thanks go to Mrs Belinda van der Zande and her team for organising such a wonderful event, and to Ms Michelle Oldman and her team for cooking the delicious kai.