Visitors shrug off miserable weather

Australian tourists John and Louise Seale were hoping to watch the haka at Waitangi Day yesterday. Photo / John Stone

Showers may have dampened the occasion but not the spirits of thousands who flocked to witness a host of activities at Waitangi yesterday.

The day got off to a slow start but the numbers picked up, especially after the waka activities and was a far cry from Wednesday when the stalls were mostly deserted.

Yesterday was a patchy day with intermittent showers but food stalls were well patronised, kids lined up for their turn on the bouncy castle and on other amusements on the Treaty Grounds.

About 150 people lined the foreshore by the Copthorne Hotel for the karakia rather than the Te Tii Beach opposite the marae and slightly more lined the bridge to watch the waka crews.

Activities such as the navy band performance at the Flagstaff, the big band performance at the Whare Runanga on the Treaty Grounds and entertainment on the waka stage went ahead as planned.

With free entry, the Treaty Grounds and the Whare Runanga, where most of the cultural activities took place, were well visited throughout the day.

Sydney visitors John and Louise Seale were keen to witness the haka up close, having seen it performed before Bledisloe Cup clashes between the Wallabies and the All Blacks across the ditch.

"The canoes are impressive but we'd rather see more haka," Mrs Seale said.

"We have Australia Day but it's not an indigenous day."

The couple hoped to learn more about the Maori culture and tradition and the relationship the indigenous people had with the other communities.

On the haka performed by the All Blacks, Mr Seale said: "No wonder they win because the team is so together. The haka really gets their adrenalin pumping and that puts fear into the opponents."

For former Whangaroa Harbour resident Penny Burgess it was her first trip to the Waitangi Day celebrations since moving to Tauranga 51 years ago.

"Back then, coming here from Whangaroa Harbour was like coming to a big city. It was more formal rather than political as is the case these days," she said.

German friends Kathrin Siemokat and Anna Mossmann were fine-tuning their cameras on the bridge during the waka activities and said they loved the flora and fauna of New Zealand.

"The animals, the birds, it's amazing."