Festival revellers ring in new year
Under the shade of a leafy tree, Christchurch’s deputy wizard is busting out some John Lee Hooker tune in a throaty growl.
As he finishes the blues number, his audience of two burst into applause. Like all good wizards, Ari Freeman has a message to offer.
‘‘I’d like to make people realise they’re not trapped,’’ he says. ‘‘The world is full of options and opportunities.’’
Freeman is part of a group of 400 performers, healers, families and free-spirited tourists camping at the first Mix Festival in the Moutere Valley until January 2.
Until a few days ago, the site was a working farm. Now the sloping site is dotted with colourful tents. At the main arena at the top of the hill, children run around, splashing in a makeshift pool, while adults lounge on the grass, or practise yoga and circus tricks.
As well as plenty of musical acts, festival goers can chill in the wharenui or community tent, seek out healing treatments or take part in activities such as art classes and magic workshops.
Paul Tane, from Christchurch, is here to revitalise his soul, he said. He came with his guitarstrumming friend, who introduces himself as Missing Goat. ‘‘I’m here to worship the A-frame god,’’ Goat says.
‘‘A is everything, it’s a concept that’s impossible to describe.’’
Singer-songwriter Feraliza, who jammed with a group of musicians into the wee hours the night before, said the festival had offered up ‘‘spaces for people to be creative’’.
Graham Hunter, one of the organisers, said the event was organised by a community of people who came together to organise a party. Strictly alcoholfree, the atmosphere is friendly and fun with an emphasis on family, he said.
‘‘It’s different people from different walks of life, who have come together to celebrate.’’ One tent went up in flames and another was damaged in an apparent gas-related fire at a busy Golden Bay campground on Saturday night.
A Fire and Emergency NZ crew from Collingwood was called to the incident at the Golden Bay Kiwi Holiday Park at Tukurua Beach around 11pm on Saturday.
Collingwood fire chief Graeme Miller said personnel initially responded to a report of a vegetation fire but, on arrival, discovered a tent on a 5m x 2m camp site had caught fire.
‘‘By the time we got there it was pretty much burnt to the ground and put out,’’ he said.
It is understood the fire was started by a gas fridge, however Miller was unsure what had caused the appliance to ignite.
Several gas bottles were also in the vicinity of the tent but did not ignite in the incident.
‘‘Once [the fire] had got going they realised that they couldn’t get them out – I know there was about half a dozen fire extinguishers around the site which had been used but it was too intense for them, probably.’’
The incident took place during the campground’s busiest time of the year, with camper numbers swelling to around 800 people over the New Year period.
Miller said it was fortunate that the fire occurred in a less concentrated area of the holiday park, which may have prevented the fire from affecting more campers.
He said the incident served as a reminder for people to check their gas fittings and the condition of all gas-reliant appliances, whether they were camping or having a barbecue around the home.
A Holiday Park staff member confirmed an incident had occurred but declined to comment when contacted by Stuff.
‘‘We’d rather it not be known and we’re really, really busy – thanks.’’