The chairperson of a Palmerston North Maori Catholic club, Rawiri Tinirau, says many non-religious members are still drawn to the Hui Aranga event.
The annual Maori Catholic gathering has begun in Upper Hutt near Wellington.
The hui, which wraps up on Easter Monday, is to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and involves kapa haka and sports competitions as well as a religious procession.
Rawiri Tinirau of Te Waiora club says people come back each year because of the nature of aroha (love) and whakawhanaungatanga (togetherness).
He says with his club, very few members are
Catholics but the juniors and young people are very excited to go to the event for everything it offers.
