One Love 2016 Hosts Confirmed

Ria Hall will host next year's One Love festival along with local Flava announcer Pat Spellman.

The Waitangi Day weekend festival will feature reggae and R'n'B stars such as JBoog, Common Kings, Third World, Steel Pulse and Collie Buddz.

Ms Hall was excited to host Third World and Steel Pulse as she had grown up listening to the musicians.

"I grew up on their music along with Bob, Peter Tosh, UB40. They have been before but I didn't get to see them so to have them in my home town is pretty awesome."

Hailing from all three Tauranga iwi, Ms Hall said she was excited to be a part of the Waitangi Day event focused around community.

"It's cool having that kind of presence, it's an honour."

Ms Hall said it had been a busy year so she had taken this month off to concentrate on writing some fresh tunes before she went back into the studio again next week to record some new singles.

Flava radio host Pat Spellman said next year's event was about having a good time and celebrating the past.

"It's an opportunity for people to experience the best of a festival atmosphere without having to leave our beautiful Bay of Plenty, but you also have to remember it's about Waitangi weekend too. It's about togetherness, manaakitanga and whanau. It is about celebration as opposed to commiseration."

The fourth One Love event to take place, next year's event would be a step up from the rest, he said.

"A lot of feedback has come in from the thousands who attended so the organisers have worked really hard since the day after the festival right up until now. Old school roots, reggae and R'n'B, as well as newer artists including a more Aotearoa act, will be encompassed in next year's event.

"We have even reunited Nesian Mystik, who haven't played in New Zealand for years. They had only been playing overseas and then retired."

Mr Spellman said there would be more entertainment off stage and a carnival feel to the event, with markets and different kai on offer.

- Bay of Plenty Times