The Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival commemorates the signing of the Treaty and acknowledges Tauranga’s multicultural, multi-ethnic make-up. Photo / Benjamin Parkinson
The Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival commemorates the signing of the Treaty and acknowledges Tauranga’s multicultural, multi-ethnic make-up. Photo / Benjamin Parkinson
Tauranga City Council’s annual Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day service is set to be held again this year, returning to Hopukiore (Mount Drury Reserve).
Proceedings begin at 6.30am with a whakatau from tangata whenua and the service includes waiata, hymns, kapa haka and speeches from local kaumātua and civic leaders. The ceremony concludes with a karakia about 8am.
The service has been running since the late 1970s and was initiated by local kaumātua, kuia and members of Tauranga District Māori Council.
Whareroa Marae chairman Manea Ngātai said in a statement commemorating Te Tiriti o Waitangi was important and that its significance to Tauranga Moana endured to this day.
“The dawn service is about coming together with the community to share history and look to a future of partnership and kotahitanga [unity].”
Mayor Mahé Drysdale said the council was proud to work collaboratively with mana whenua to ensure Waitangi Day was commemorated appropriately.
“We’ve seen big crowds at previous Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day dawn services and we expect this year’s commemoration to be equally as popular.”
Stacey Mareroa-Roberts, Tauranga City Council manager of strategic Māori engagement, hoped attendees would leave with a deeper understanding of shared history, inspiration to live up to its promise of partnership and a renewed commitment to kotahitanga.
“Such events unite Tauranga’s communities, inspiring a shared vision for a more inclusive and harmonious future for Tauranga Moana.”
A road closure will be in place from 5.30am on February 6 until 8am on Marine Parade, from Grace Ave to Pacific Ave.
The Rātana band performs at last year's Waitangi Day dawn service at Mt Drury in Tauranga. Photo / Tauranga City Council
Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival
In its sixth year at the Historic Village, Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival is organised by He Iwi Kotahi Tauranga Moana Charitable Trust for local communities in the Western Bay of Plenty.
Organisers say the festival is an opportunity to commemorate the signing of the Treaty, learn what the Treaty means to the community and acknowledge Tauranga’s multicultural, multi-ethnic make-up.
Buddy Mikaere, He Iwi Kotahi trustee and professional historian, said in a statement the festival was about telling the story and history behind Waitangi Day.
“Music is a way to bring everyone together. It’s a universal language where everyone at this whanāu-focused event can get up and dance together.”
Visitors can expect boutique stalls, local artisans, food trucks and a range of family games and activities.
As part of the festival’s kaupapa, free health and wellbeing checks and advice will also be available.
An inaugural Waitangi Day Festival art competition is new to this year’s event.
“This addition to the festival is a way to further engage with our tamariki and what they love about Waitangi Day,” Mikaere said.
Actress and community leader Mabel Wharekawa-Burt will MC the day welcoming the crowd shortly before 10am, and senior Ngai Tamarawaho kaumātua Tamati Tata will lead a karakia before the Royal New Zealand Navy raises the New Zealand flag and the national anthem is sung.
Buddy Mikaere, He Iwi Kotahi trustee and professional historian, says the festival is about telling the story and history behind Waitangi Day. Photo / Alex Cairns
Māori in the Moana
Hosted by Ngāi Te Rangi at Whareroa Reserve, organisers say Māori in the Moana is a free initiative designed to bring the community together.
The first event, held last year, attracted 5000 whanau.
Deputy chief executive Roitmata Ah Sam said in a statement that Ngāi Te Rangi iwi wanted to follow on from the incredible success of its inaugural event that exceeded all expectations.
“We believe it’s important to create an accessible space where whānau and the wider community can come together to celebrate being Māori in Tauranga Moana.”
She said Māori in the Moana was an opportunity to rewrite some of the negative perceptions surrounding Waitangi Day and to help educate people about the Treaty of Waitangi.
“It’s about our mokopuna growing up with positive whānau memories of Waitangi Day and learning about some of our history in the process.”
The event will offer activities and entertainment that embrace Māori culture, including poi and flag making, tukutuku panels, learning about Te Tiriti, arts and crafts and live bands.
Everyone had fun in the sun at Ngāi Te Rangi's inaugural Māori in the Moana event last year. Photo / Supplied
Te Rā o Waitangi - Katikati
Held at Haiku Park in Katikati, Te Rā o Waitangi is a free, family-friendly event commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The public is invited to attend the event and there will be multicultural performances and music, cultural interactive workshops/activities, face painting, games, and food and refreshments will be available.
Performances from bands Chur Da Boys, Junior John and Local Trio will start at 10.45am until the end of the event at 2pm.
A spokesperson said it was about coming together to celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand and acknowledge treaty obligations and partnerships.
“Our cultural diversity in Katikati is a space shared by many and the music and performances will provide a glimpse into our vibrant community.”
They said Haiku Park was the “perfect place to celebrate, alongside the Uretara River with the Kaimai as our backdrop.”
Details
Tauranga Moana dawn service
Where: Hopukiore (Mt Drury)
When: All are welcome from 6am, proceedings begin at 6.30am
Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival
Where: Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga South
When: 10am to 3pm
Māori in the Moana
Where: Whareroa Reserve, Mount Maunganui
When: 10am to 3pm
Te Rā o Waitangi - Katikati
Where: Haiku Park, Katikati
When: 10am to 2pm
Kaitlyn Morrell is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.
