Day a celebration of cultures

Tiri Morgan models a Maori-designed outfit and piupiu as part of the wearable arts fashion show. Photo / Stephen Parker

The spirit of Waitangi Day was epitomised at Whakarewarewa Thermal Village as hundreds streamed through the gateway to celebrate the national holiday.

A celebration of cultures was on display with WHAKAnuia yesterday with kapa haka, singing, a wearable arts show and food and crafts stalls.

Helping the day run smoothly was village guide Tipene Raimona-Haira.

"It's been really good for visitors to not only get to experience our culture and how we live everyday, but cultures from around the world," Mr Raimona-Haira said. "It's also been great to see how other cultures perform - such as the Cook Islands dancing and belly dancing but also for myself being able to perform alongside my family for Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao.

"We are celebrating everyone's cultures but also not forgetting what it means for Maori. For me it's about celebrating who I am and what my people before me have achieved and being able to share that with the rest of the world."

Taking part in the festivities with his family was Rotorua MP Todd McClay, who preferred to spend the day in his hometown rather than in Waitangi with his fellow politicians. "It's been a really enjoyable day, I always choose to spend it in Rotorua. For me the day is about being with family and being part of the community," he said.

Mr McClay also attended the Kiwi Culture Day in Ngongotaha yesterday run by Progress Ngongotaha and the Rotorua Ngongotaha Rail Trust.

Belly-dancing performers swung to the beat onstage in front of the wahrenui in Whakarewarewa Village.

"It was an amazing family day and it was the launch of their new trolley. They made me put on a fireman uniform - and made me do some exercises which wasn't as fun - but it was really great just to see so many people just relaxing and having a fun day out.

"For me Waitangi Day is a New Zealand day and nowhere does it better than in Rotorua."

Other events that took place yesterday were the Lake Rotoma Kiwanis Open Water Swim, the National Maori Basketball Tournament and the Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools' 100-year anniversary celebrations.

Aroha Datt travelled from Auckland with her husband to spend Waitangi Day in Rotorua.

Singing sweetly onstage were, from left, Adrian Forbes, Manaia Rikiti-Graham and Anahira Waiariki.

"It's been an awesome time here, we haven't been here since the 80s and it's been great to come down and just meeting all the different cultures here. ..." she said.

"To me that's what Waitangi Day is about, it's about us all uniting as one - and to be able to have pride and mana in being Maori. It's all about the love and we have such a beautiful country and are just so blessed to be living in New Zealand."