This event was held in Hamilton at the Kingsgate Hotel over the weekend of 17/18 July 2010.  There is sure to be a full account of the Fair in the next issue of the NZ Genealogist magazine so I will only report those aspects relevant to the Maori Interest Group.  The proceedings of the AGM included a formal powhiri in which Tainui kaumatua welcomed all in te reo and wished us well in our deliberations.   The formal opening of the Fair featured speeches by the NZSG patron The Governor General, the Mayor of Hamilton and representatives of the Tainui iwi.  We owe a vote of thanks to our Convenor, Owen Ormsby, for ensuring tikanga was culturally observed.

The Maori Interest Group had a booth in the marquee adjacent to the hotel.  I and Owen set this up on the Thursday evening before helping to stuff hundreds of bright yellow bags full of goodies for those people registering for the fair.  Owen was determined we had greenery to ornament our booth to which ends he and I purloined exemplars from around the hotel.  We had many compliments on our booth display so it was all worth the effort.

Owen Ormsby and Lorraine Rice presented two seminars on whakapapa research which received acclamation.  The three of us staffed our booth from 10am to 9pm both days of the fair.  It was wonderful that so many people came to us seeking advice.  We were truly kept very busy, some of us even meeting previously unknown members of our whanau.

Brenda JOYCE #13868