The Awanui Progressive and Ratepayers Association is behind the event and the aim was to make Awanui the center of activity – and a real destination – for people traveling to Cape Reinga.

In addition to the bike ride and entertainment, Awanui Day was an excellent opportunity to showcase the arts, crafts and artisan producers of the Far North.

This year the venue has changed slightly, with everything set up at the Awanui Reserve and playground, so the tamariki can play while the adults relax, listen to music, grab a bite to eat and visit the stalls, the all in the same place.

The change of venue caused some consternation, but reactions on the reservation were overwhelmingly supportive of the change.

Everyone from the Far North that Northland Age spoke to praised the new location, with comments such as: “much better, much safer”; “a great place to get together with Whanau and friends and enjoy the day”; “it’s so much safer than risking your life on the highway”; “you can sit and make room here to have kai and meet up with friends”; and ”I was a little worried at first, but the reserve is the right place for the whole family to really enjoy.”

Bill Subritzky of Northland Ridershas been involved in organizing the event for almost three decades and said there has been nothing but excellent feedback about the new venue.

“The new venue was really the natural place for it and it was the reserve that was set up for these kinds of big events,” Subritzky said.

“There were mixed feelings at first (about the change), but it’s been great, and everyone seems to enjoy having a lot more space to move around, gather and enjoy the big kai and events that we organize.”

He said it was a big risk that there was so much happening next to State Highway One, with families and children having to risk crossing the road, that moving seemed like the logical idea.

“It’s much better for families and children to have everything in one place on the reserve.”