Another massive crowd is expected at Waitangi@Waititi at Parrs Park, Oratia on Thursday.
Another massive crowd is expected at Waitangi@Waititi at Parrs Park, Oratia on Thursday.
Two free Waitangi Day concerts in Tāmaki Makaurau will feature prominent artists and cultural experiences.
Waitangi@Waititi in West Auckland and Waitangi ki Manukau will celebrate Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Events include music, workshops, and learning opportunities, highlighting Māori and Pasifika cultures.
Two free concerts on Waitangi Day will have Tāmaki Makaurau rocking.
In West Auckland, Waitangi@Waititi 2025 is expected to attract thousands. This year it features Mark Williams, Stan Walker, Che Fu & The Kratez, Ladi 6, Black Slate, Corrella, Troy Kingi and Aaradhna.
Last year around 50,000 visited the Parrs Park venue in Oratia and organisers are expecting similar numbers to the free whānau all-day – 9am-4pm – show.
The massive stage is being built and next Thursday will be the place to be for live free music.
Across town Waitangi ki Manukau at Barry Curtis Park honours the 185th anniversary of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Auckland councillor for the Manukau ward, Alf Filipaina, said the event would be a powerful reminder of the historical significance, unity, and future aspirations Te Tiriti o Waitangi offered Aucklanders.
Manukau ward councillor Alf Filipaina says the concert will showcase the rich diversity of Auckland communities through music. Photo / Mike Scott
“Waitangi ki Manukau 2025 is a commemoration for all,” Filipaina said.
“Showcasing the rich diversity of Auckland communities through music, cultural experiences, and time with whānau.”
Packed with music and rich Māori and Pasifika cultural experiences within te ao Māori, it commemorates the historical importance of Manukau as a site where Treaty signings took place.
Aucklanders can also reflect on the ongoing relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and its role in shaping Aotearoa.
“Auckland Council is committed to celebrating Māori identity, history and culture as Auckland’s unique point of difference in the world,” he said.
“This event highlights how through Te Tiriti o Waitangi, when Māori thrive, we all thrive in Tāmaki Makaurau.”
The event will have a musical line-up, headlined by Dam Native, MAJIC, Jordyn with a Why, MOHI and Tipene.
There will be Waitangi Day events across Auckland, including at Barry Curtis Park, Parrs Park and Point England Reserve.
Council’s Māori culture and identity programme lead Melz Huata-Lucas said that while the line-up of artists will help create a stirring, unified atmosphere, this year’s commemoration of Waitangi Day will be so much more than just music.
“This year’s Waitangi ki Manukau event will embrace culture and community,” she said.
“And, the remembrance of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Treaty of Waitangi – the significance for Māori, in particular, iwi Māori from Tāmaki Makaurau, and the impact of the Treaty on this region and on our society as a whole, ever since the signing.
The day’s events will begin with a karakia, before the line-up of performances and activities.
Learning opportunities, focusing on Te Tiriti, will also be at the forefront, allowing attendees to dive deeper into the historical and cultural significance of the Treaty as an important, living document.
The Waitangi Village will offer interactive activities, including weaving workshops and kōrero – designed to foster understanding from both Māori and Pacific cultures.
The festival will also feature a curated market with Māori arts and crafts, and kai stalls showcasing a delicious fusion of Māori and international flavours.
There will also be a special area for children’s activities, including face painting and poi making.
Additional reporting Torika Tokalau from Local Democracy Reporting.
