Waitangi Day 2009 Highlights

Three free evening concerts drew thousands to the Hobson's Beach stage. Ray Woolf and Rodger Fox played as The Fox and the Woolf on Wednesday 4th February. On Thursday 5th the crowd enjoyed soul, jazz and blues from recording artist Whirimako Black, then Northland reggae group "1814". Waitangi Day iteself ended with The Lady Killers, Suzanne Lynch, Tina Cross, Jackie Clarke and Taisha singing up a storm!

 

Performances by the Band and Kapa Haka group of the Royal New Zealand Navy, a Top Team competition and a full Thursday of sports also featured in the programme. On the Grounds' permanent stage near the waka shelter, and in the courtyard of the Treaty House, a non-stop line-up of performers entertained on 6th February, and music continued during Saturday 7th February.

 

Ceremonies on the day itself began with an estimated 1500 gathered for the reflective dawn karakia or prayer at 5am, followed by an inter-denominational church service mid morning. At noon the Navy fired a 21-gun salute from HMNS Canterbury and paraded a Royal Guard of Honour. The day's formal events concluded with Beat Retreat at Ceremonial Sunset on the main Treaty Grounds lawn.