A good many of the seasonal workers are very young, and for many it is their first time away from home. This year, in a new experiment, the Maori Affairs Department has arranged for a group of workers to live, like a family unit, under the care of Mr and Mrs Poinga. The Poingas and their ‘family’ all come from the same town, Opotiki; this may be one reason why the arrangement has proved an outstanding success. Canon Kaa, who is at present working among South Island Maoris, was one of the visitors at the Te Awhina Competitions. time activities as weekend sport and visits to other areas, and it was she who was largely responsible for organising competitions held last March in Motueka's Te Awhina hall. This was the first time in Motueka that cultural competitions had been held on such an ambitious scale, but the occasion was so successful that it is planned to make it an annual event. Though the groups had had only a limited time in which to rehearse, it was interesting and most cheering to see how many accomplished performers could be mustered together from a community such as this, and to see the enthusiasm and vigour that the ones who were beginning brought to their action songs. The group winning the Te Awhina trophy was the Ngatapu Youth Club from Dovedale, and second place was taken by the all-girl Sandy Bay Youth Club. The weekend of competitions also included one of the biggest hangis ever held in the district.