Waitangi expecting 30,000

Organisers of next month's Waitangi Day celebrations and the preceding weekend festival expect up to 30,000 people at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands if the weather stays fine.

Based on the 23,500 who were at the Treaty Grounds on February 6 last year in poor weather, Waitangi National Trust chief executive Jeanette Richardson says preparations are being made for up to 30,000 this time.

Because Waitangi Day falls on a Monday this year, a full Saturday and Sunday family festival is planned to lead up to the day itself.

A new permanent outdoor stage and more toilets have been built, power supplies have been extended in the grounds and a number of community and sports groups have confirmed they will be part of the festivities.

One festival and Waitangi Day highlight will feature the first Northland performance of the 1840 Waitangi Overture by acclaimed Maori violinist Elena.

The work was composed by her son Tim Whitta, a protege of composer and percussionist Gareth Farr.

Elena and her group will perform on Saturday, February 4, at 2 pm and again on Waitangi Day.

Other entertainment will include the Treaty Grounds' own cultural group, He Tohu. Saturday will finish with a twilight concert by the Navy band and on Sunday the focus will be on sports.