The Maori king was to be the special guest at the Mataatua regional kapa haka competitions in the small Tainui enclave of Torere on Saturday.
Organiser Kareen Hotereni says the eastern Bay of Plenty community, which has about 300 residents, was expecting about 6,000 manuhiri.
Waatea News reports 16 teams were vying to go to next year's Te Matatini nationals, including reigning champions Opotiki Mai Tawhiti, Te Whanau-a-Apanui and Tauira Mai Tawhiti.
