Kokatahi Band 108 Years Old, Hokitika – New Zealandby Harley Jones |
The Kokatahi Band from Hokitika on the West Coast of New Zealand celebrates its 108th anniversary this year. When first formed, the band followed the principle that they should only use instruments that were commonly available in the early years of the 20th century. Now, one hundred years on, the band is still pumping out the tunes on an eclectic mix of instruments including the accordion. Members come from as far afield as Invercargill (at the bottom of the South Island) and Ashburton to don the colours and clothes of what people wore from the gold fields in 1910, and get the crowds singing. |