Waitangi Welcomes the World

Posted 26 July 2011

Waitangi National Trust Board, Management and Staff have pleasure in welcoming our many visitors from around New Zealand and around the world to this special place - our Birthplace – Te Pitowhenua, during the Rugby World Cup 2011.

A very special welcome to the teams from Canada, Japan and Tonga who will be domiciled in Northland during the event, and to our many cruise ship visitors.

As part of the Rugby World Cup festivities and in recognition of the strong ties between Waitangi and the game of rugby, a festival of events has been planned around the Waitangi National Trust Estate for the third week in October.

A Rugby Greats Dinner on Monday 17 October at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Bay of lslands, will commence the week's festivities - a number of high profile players from the past and distinguished guests promise an evening of nostalgia, laughter and entertainment - $195/person or for tables of 10 or more, $180/person. This very special event is unique to Northland.

ln the days that follow there will be musical entertainment by talented local artists, cultural performances featuring the songs and dances of Northern tribes, Maori games and sport including ki-o-rahi competitions, and waka (Maori canoes) on the water. An artisan village will enable visitors to watch master craftspeople - weavers and carvers - at work.

Food will also feature prominently with rugby celebrity chefs cooking up a culinary storm at a barbecue with a 'local' flavour, a sampling tent providing visitors with a chance to taste the very best of regional food and wine, and a Farmers' Market.

Wine and cheese evenings featuring local and regional award winning cheeses and wines are scheduled for Tuesday 18 October and Wednesday 19 October at $25/person (5.15pm to 7.15pm) held in the WNT Boardroom, followed by a cultural performance by the Trust's own talented troupe.

Degustation dinners at Waikokopu Café are scheduled for the Thursday and Friday evenings  (20 and 21 October) at 7pm at a cost of $68/person (food only) with a wine match available.

Menus for both the Rugby Greats Dinner and Degustation dinners are available on our website

Numbers for both these events are limited, so be in quick for these exclusive food experiences.

Throughout the week our professional guides will continue our regular programme of guided tours and performances.

 

More detailed information on the festival programme is available from our friendly staff or on our website.