Pena Hikuwai, chair of local Māori Wardens, says she's pretty sure the Māori Wardens have been involved with Caboodle from the start.

"We're huge supporters," says Pena. 

"Not only of the event, but working with Kelly and her team. It's awesome. Our job is to assist, promote and help Whanganui in whatever capacity, making sure everyone has a safe event and goes home happy."

The local Māori Wardens have been working with the event team to prepare for the tenth annual Mainstreet Caboodle held over in January 2020.

Running for more than 14 hours in the town centre, the Caboodle encompasses entertainment, food, fashion, a vintage market and veteran, vintage and classic cars, all in a vintage themed extravaganza.

Mainstreet event manager Kelly Scarrow says that one of the highlights of Caboodle is the car display.

"People from around the country are organising club runs to coincide with the weekend," she says.

"That day we had 35,000 people at the racecourse for show day. Since then we thought it was a good idea to continue."

Hikuwai says the event is for the benefit of Whanganui and their involvement ensures that all parties are safe.

"It's a great time to bring people to Whanganui. We've even got people from the South Island coming up, so we've got lots of people doing something that brings them to Whanganui for the weekend, and it's all organised for them.”