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To maximise her first Waitangi Day experience, Davina Ballam volunteered to help with recycling at the Waitangi Festival at Auckland's Okahu Bay.
It paid off for the 22-year-old librarian from England, as it not only got her a night's stay at a marae and a front-row view of the waka landing on Okahu Bay, but also allowed her to learn first hand from the experts about the Treaty and New Zealand's national day.
"It was really neat, and we also got an elaborate Maori welcome and heard from politicians and Maori leaders all about Waitangi Day," said Miss Ballam, who works at AUT University.
"Coming from England, it is interesting to hear about how the Treaty paved the way for the British to live with Maori."
Thousands packed Okahu Bay, the original site of Governor Hobson's 1841 landing at the invitation of Ngati Whatua chiefs to create the city of Auckland, for a day of fun and festivities.
Auckland Mayor John Banks and his team sailed from the Maritime Museum marina on two heritage craft, the scow Ted Ashby and the brigantine Breeze, accompanied by the waka, Aramoana. They received a traditional welcome by Ngati Whatua o Orakei.
By late morning, the crowd had swelled to about 2000 Pakeha, Maori, Pacific Islanders, Chinese and Indian, and possibly hundreds who were visitors.
Neil Richards, a tourist from Ohio, USA, said the celebrations were an "emotional experience" for him.
"True it's no Fourth of July, but hey, the celebrations here seem to come from the heart, and that's just great," Mr Richards said.
"Being relaxed and laid back is just so uniquely Kiwi, and the diversity of people who are out here for the celebrations, well, it's just amazing."
The free event had been designated as "zero waste" and people were asked to take their rubbish home with them. Volunteer worker Clare Cavalier said the celebrations were not just about remembering New Zealand's past, but also preparing for its future. "It's also about protecting New Zealand's environment, its beautiful land and sea for future generations."
