Guestbook

2008 - I met a guy called Lance who told me a little of the history of Tohu, Te Whiti and people Parihaka. Truly inspirational.
Jonathan, New Zealand - 4 May 2008

2008 was our second time to parihaka and we had such a great time. Really one of the best festivals i have been too. My daughter and I just loved it and hope to come again in 2009. I am really hoping that Adham Shaikh will play again. Kia ora.
Rosie and Ocean, NZ - 28 Apr 2008

An impressive site. Well done. Yes, I read Scott's book in the 1970s. A relative was in the Armed Constabulary and there on the day. He moved to Southland. Another settled for a while at Manaia, where my grandfather was born. They moved north. If only their political leaders had lived Christ's message as Te Whiti did.
Ian Bogue, NZ - 22 Apr 2008

I enjoyed the book 'the art of passive resistance'
Jessica Matehuirua White, New Zealand - 14 Apr 2008

i had an amazing time at the festival this year. it was mind blowing. im going to take my children there when they are born!
AMY RUDDUCK, chilli - 26 Mar 2008

Every 5th day of November I will remember Parihaka in our nations history. I am descended from the Tahana's and Kum Sing(Chinese) of New Plymouth or Waitara. 10a Bella Rosa Drive Hornby Christchurch
Gerald Thorner, New Zealand - 19 Mar 2008

MY NAME IS PKI TAINGAHUE-GUNSON AND I HAVE BEEN TO ALL THE PEACE FESTZ WITH MY DAD CHRIS TAINGAHE AND MY SIS ARIANA-MEI TAINGAHUE. WE HAD A GREAT TIME EVEN THOUGH MY DAD SPENT MOST OF HIS TIME WITH THE HANGI CREW. WE GOT A MEAN SPOT TO PUT OUR TENT UP RITE ABOVE THE HANGI PITZ. ANYWAY I HAD A GREAT TIME
PIKI TAINGAHE-GUNSON, NEW ZEALAND - 19 Mar 2008

Kia ora all! We had a brilliant time, really appreciated all the forums, movies, speakers available to watch listen and learn. KidzCorner was brilliant for our tamariki although climbing the hills, checking out all the stalls and surrounding streams kept them entertained as well! Food stalls just couldn't keep away, fresh cooking all day n night! The whole weekend is a must for whanau & the young rangatahi - anybody who makes an effort to attend, it was an amazing festival, late night music is a bonus but most of all the wairua, the history, the location is really something you can not explain. Thank-you to all the organisers, just one thing that our kuia was a bit hot down at the main stage - can there be a Kaumatua Tent based - or set up near the stalls so that they can go to this tent and be collected when they have walked around the speakers Marque, the stalls and the two stages if possible? Thank-you such a wonderful experience, well done! T Loughlin Wellington
T. Loughlin, Wellington - 11 Mar 2008

Thank you for once again reaffirming the beauty of New Zealanders. So wonderful to be surrounded by strong, amazing people of Parihaka. You have a beautiful space, with which you open your doors and arms and welcome strangers as friends. Thank you for leading the way and shedding light on the future and make it a wonder to walk towards. Many blessings to the people of Parihaka for the time and love spent on creating such an amazing place to be.
MUNT Fm 88.5, Aotearoa - 27 Feb 2008

Tena Koutou Katoa Thanks again for a fantastic festival. Last year we came for the whole weekend, myself and the Whanau (including my parents). We had tickets for the 3 days this year, but only came for the third day. This was in solidarity with a good friend who has 4 teenage children and could not afford to bring all the kids. I see in today's paper that next year's festival is going to concentrate on catering for young people and teenagers. I am so heartened to hear this. This year it seemed sort of quiet without the presence and voice of the youth. I am a high school teacher and feel I need to speak out about what seemed an inequity - should a 13 year old pay a full adult ticket price when they are most likely not working ?? It would seem that people have already highlighted this and thanks again for your responsiveness. This year reminded me of my Punk/Mohawk roots and the one thing that stayed with me most from the festival was the voice of a musician resounding through the hills - "Without Justice there can be no Peace" The Tuhoe speakers expounded most eloquently on this. Thanks again for all your hard work. See you next year (we'll maybe volunteer this time ?) Kia Kaha Claire
Claire Evans, Aotearoa - 18 Feb 2008

Much admiration and respect for Parihaka. I read the history of Parihaka for the very first time.I am greived for all you have gone through ...yet you still gather in non violent stance . God honors spiritual integrity ....All blessing to you on this and eveery day. I am honored to know one of the poets who will read . I know him simply as ( J ). I am doubly-blessed and honored to know him ! Blesssssssss
Jennifer Hampton, USA - 12 Feb 2008

PEACE FESTIVAL 08 ROCKED WOOOOOOOOO CANT WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR
Paora Hawea, New Zealand - 3 Feb 2008

Tena koutou oku whanau
Angie, Aotearoa - 2 Feb 2008

Kiaorana from the South Pacific. Our whanau came together from all over the world for a peaceful reunion at Parihaka and it was everything we expected it to be: beautiful surroundings watched over by Taranaki, stunning weather, relaxed people, great music, satisfying food, hot showers and more! Something for everyone - it was awesome to have all our tamariki with us dancing along to the funky, groovy and positive vibrations of Aotearoa! Meitaki maata Parihaka.
Marie, Cook Islands - 1 Feb 2008

Kia Ora, My Mums From Here...Komene's...
Crystal Te-Ahu Pickering, Australia - 29 Jan 2008

kia ora e whanau.
rodney phillips, Aotearoa - 27 Jan 2008

Kia Ora whanau and friends, 1st for my fiance and myself,even my 5 yr old step son had a wonderful time, have told my whole whanau...so keen to come back and revel in the beautiful surroundings and awesome music. Ka Pai and Kia Ora katoa
Dave Broughton, Aotearoa Chch ex Taranaki - 23 Jan 2008

Went to the 2008 festival. Definitely going back again. We stayed in furthest campsite with kids and friends so didnt miss a thing. Wicked!
Rachel Tui, Aotearoa - 22 Jan 2008

PARIHAKA 08 was the most wonderful festival we ve ever been...i'll always remember how complete strangers just smile at each other, how we jammed under the stars on the hill, how even the police joined and flashed their lights for us, how the unjustice of the past is being painted over with so much love and peace and music and how te whiti's spirit is alive and probably smiling with us. Thank you so much for that, we will be back, Johno, Severin, Shizuka, Nora, Amanda, Claire, Peter, Karen, Neil, Huirangi and so many more, respect to you!
sam&nicole, earth (switzerland) - 21 Jan 2008

Thank you to everyone who visited the Poetry Forum over the weekend, it was a beautiful, life changing, experience performing for you all and helping to organise the Forum. Amazing response from the audience that spilled outa the tent on to the surrounding grass and was wicked to hear all our rich unique poet voices of Aotearoa. Hearing Apirana Taylor was very moving i was honored to get another oppurtunity to see him perform. Another highlight of my time at Parihaka was sharing the sunrise on a hilltop with like minded worshippers wanting to watch Mt Taranaki be bathed in gold. Wonderful Festival. xx
Carolyn McIvor, Auckland/New Zealand - 20 Jan 2008