Waitangi Day and Festival

Feb 6th 2010 - unrivalled for family fun and stirring spectacle

Haere mai.

The 70th birthday this year of two major Treaty Grounds treasures focused the attention of families, waka crew, performers and politicians nationwide on the birthplace of our nation.

The magnificently carved Whare Runanga (MS Word Doc 106 KB) - a showpiece and a home for the carvings of Maori tribes throughout Aotearoa, and Ngatokimatawhaorua (MS Word Doc 91 KB) - the world's largest waka or ceremonial canoe, were both completed for the 100th anniversary of the signing of The Treaty at Waitangi. In 2010, this Year of the Waka, they were celebrated and commemorated at Waitangi.

We received an impressive number of visitors! With five million dollars spent in the last year alone on new facilities, we were able to welcome and offer comfort to visitors (manuhiri) on The Day, and during the festival that proceeded it.

 

There were some fantastic headline acts, and our community generously committed its clubs, groups, performers and artists to join us.

 

On the public holiday of 6th February each year, New Zealanders of all ethnic backgrounds and creeds gather to commemorate the first signing of the Treaty at Waitangi in 1840. Waitangi Day is a generally optimistic focus for debate on national identity and multiculturalism in New Zealand, and at the Treaty Grounds a peaceful family-oriented celebration prevails. The cartoon (below right) by Tom Scott in the capital's Dominion Post summed up Waitangi Day 2005.

 

Waitangi National Trust management works actively with the community to ensure pride in New Zealand's national day grows in the hearts of all New Zealanders.

The highest profile events unfold at Waitangi, over the Waitangi River bridge on the actual Trust estate. There are also activities and events off the Treaty Grounds at Te Tii Marae and Tii Beach - these are not part of the National Trust kaupapa. An official government schedule of activities on Waitangi Day is also published in advance.

 

In recent years, a family festival of sport and culture during the days prior has set the tone for ever more celebratory events. This year it included Ki-o-rahi, a championship Maori game, now promoted internationally, that may be even older than rugby! Ceremony, music, sports and fun are part of the family-themed festival.

 

Waitangi Day itself has always involved performance and parade from the Royal New Zealand Navy and local cultural groups. In 2008 a Naval Royal Guard of Honour further dignified the commemorations and in 2009 the Navy had its greatest presence in ten years. The Navy continues to build its presence with performances by the Navy Band, Beat Retreat and Royal Guard of Honour at ceremonial sunset at the flagpole.

You can download information about the flags (MS Word Doc - 169 KB) that fly at the Treaty Grounds.

 

Two naval vessels attended this year's celebrations, while a record waka fleet involving thousands of energetic and fit kaihoe (crew) generated pride and excitement on the waters of Pewhairangi, the Bay of Islands at the cliffs, and sandy coasts of the Treaty Grounds.

 

For more background information on Waitangi Day, visit www.nzhistory.net.nz/Gallery/treaty/.

 

Community and retail stalls

Community groups and businesses wishing to apply for permission to set up a Waitangi Day stall for 2011 should download, fill in and fax or post the application form to the Trust now. The fee is $100 per stall, although approved community groups should discuss their eligibility for relief. Acceptance is strictly at the discretion of the Waitangi National Trust.