The return after 20 years

One of the most travelled Maori show bands is back.

An international Maori theatre performance is returning after more than 20 years.

The International Maori Volcanics Showband, which was formed in 1974 by Mahoro Peters, has not performed in Taranaki for two decades.

The band of six, who are the only working showband of their type in the world today, are touring New Zealand and will be in Hawera on February 23.

Annette Paki, the publicist for the tour, said Taranaki was in for ‘‘all-round family entertainment’’.

‘‘It’s not just paying to go and see a band, you’ll sit down and you will be entertained,’’ she said.

Paki said the half of the show was like a theatre production and was ‘‘exactly the same as it was when Billy T James was in the showband’’ and what follows was ‘‘all kinds of music’’.

‘‘This is the international show that you’d see if you were sitting in Las Vegas or in Honolulu somewhere,’’ she said.

Paki said that the audience often came along because it felt like nostalgia. ’’It takes you back to another time where music was real,’’ she said.

The show band still has original members such as Mahoro Peters, who is quite an icon in New Zealand music.

‘‘She started this band in Sydney,’’ Paki said.

The Taranaki show begins at 7pm and is a fundraiser for the South Taranaki RSA.

Tickets can be bought from the RSA after 3pm or from Kristen Greenhalgh, on 022 410 9048, who is looking forward to the event.

‘‘It’s $25 a ticket, three hour concert, and there’s a cash bar - it’s going to be an awesome event,’’ she said.