Hangi at Waiotahi School

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A hangi is a traditional Maori feast, usually for a special occasion. Waiotahi School, a lovely, laid back rural school, do it to show children how it happens, and we were lucky to meet a family who invited us to the school hangi last week.

A circular pit is dug, a little over a metre across, and a log fire is lit next to it. Rocks are heated on the fire for an hour or two, and when hot enough they are put into the hole. Then large lumps of meat are lowered on in crates, followed by vegetables. These are covered over with a large metal drum (lower left of photo) - traditionally this would be leaves - and left to be cooked by the hot rocks for a few hours. Then the cover is lifted and the food served.

We watched it all and then Catherine stayed for her first afternoon of SCHOOL in a long time. She enjoyed it but probably won't go again.

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Photos

Hangi
Putting the food into the hangi pit