Waitangi Day: Our national day of celebration

Politicians and members of the public attend Te Tii marae ahead of Waitangi Day. Photo / John Stone

Today marks the 175th anniversary of Waitangi Day in New Zealand. A range of events are taking place across the city today including the He Iwi Kotahi - Waitangi Day Whanau Festival at Blake Park, the Waitangi Day Family Day at Greerton which features a life-size foosball table and hangi and the One Love Summer Festival at the Wharepai Domain. The Bay of Plenty Times quizzed 10 people - including iwi leaders - about what the day meant to them. Read their answers.

Buddy Mikaere
Ngai Te Hapu spokesperson Buddy Mikaere said Waitangi Day was a day to celebrate and it should be New Zealand's national day.

"What it [Waitangi Day] shouldn't be is an excuse for protest and everything else that happens up in Waitangi itself. It's so disappointing. Why can't they do their b******* and moaning on the other 364 days of the year and leave this one as a proper celebration."

Mr Mikaere thought it would be a good idea to have citizenship ceremonies and New Year's Honours awards on Waitangi Day. "We should be having those things out on our own national day."

Jack Thatcher
Mataatua Kapa Haka regional committee member Jack Thatcher said the day meant different things to people. "For me, it's celebrating who we are as a people. When our people signed the Treaty it was to share this land with everybody, it isn't highlighted much these days but that's what it was. It should be a celebration of nationhood."

Mr Thatcher would be spending Waitangi Day in Waitangi this year.

Rehua Smallman
Te Runanga o Ngati Pukenga chair Rehua Smallman said Waitangi Day was significant.

"The day holds special significance for what actually happened 175 years ago and it still holds that same significance now. It was the day our country was founded. Even though in terms of the Treaty there are a lot of issues which are still resurfacing and being worked through, we don't believe the Treaty had been honoured, but there has been a lot of work gone into it over the years to amend things."

Matire Duncan
Matire Duncan, deputy chairwoman of the Maori Collective, said Waitangi Day was a day of remembering, partnership, and the future. "It's really about acknowledging that, and for the future - things can only get better but it is up to everybody."

Ms Duncan said she would spend the day going to the different events throughout Tauranga Moana petitioning for a Maori Ward in Tauranga City Council.

Peri Kohu
Ngaitamarawaho kaumatua Peri Kohu said for him Waitangi Day was also a time of sadness. "The feeling of being taken for a ride from the coloniser and those who govern this country. I hope the dominant society in which we live becomes an integrated society where my grandchildren can be taught in my language across the spectrum.

What's on in Tauranga on Waitangi Day?

*He Iwi Kotahi - Waitangi Day Whanau Festival
A family-friendly way to celebrate Waitangi Day at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui.

Featuring a full day's entertainment - with live, local bands and musicians and other live entertainment.

Featuring market stalls, food trucks, free bouncy castles, free face-painting and competitions.

People are invited to bring non-perishable food items for Tauranga's Women's Refuge. General admission tickets begin at just $5 for children, $10 for adults and a $20 Whanau Pass (2 x adults, 2 x children).

This year, all funds will go to the Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club and the Remove the Rena Charitable Trust.

*Waitangi Day Family Day
Featuring a life-sized foosball table, hangi, a free sausage sizzle, bouncy castles and water games.

Free entry, 10.30am till 3pm at Greerton Village School.

*Gourmet Night Market
A night market with a twist, packed with quality, local gourmet dinner and dessert stalls and a healthy serving of sustainability.

Featuring live music, from 5-9pm at Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui.

*Otumoetai College 50th reunion
Two days of catching up with your old school mates, culminating in a dinner and dance at ASB Arena, Baypark. See http://reunion.otc.school.nz/ for details.

*One Love Summer Festival
Featuring Katchafire, The Black Seeds, Stan Walker, Sons Of Zion, Tomorrow People, Sammy Johnson and more. Wharepai Domain, Tauranga.

Tickets are $99 (plus booking fee), see www.onelovefestival.co.nz for the full line-up and more information.