What's On - Waitangi Day
Muriwai’s Waitangi Day Festival has gathered some of the most influential Māori musicians to commemorate the day on stage next to the sand dunes. Tiki Taane, Moana & the Tribe and Warren Maxwell will all be performing, alongside up-and-comers Ria Hall, Nat Rose and Soljah. Between bands, a panel of lively speakers will explore the theme ‘Every day is Waitangi Day’, and our relationship to the ocean. This event is whanau friendly, and celebrates the values of care, hospitality, reciprocity and unity of purpose.
Located in a beautiful rural spot 20 minutes south of Palmerston North, Picnic on the Pond is a is a celebration of Waitangi Day in true blue kiwi style. Take along a checked blanket and enjoy the kai, games and music on offer. Picnics are BYO or available for pre-purchase with your tickets, with a mouth-watering menu to choose from with baskets including lamb and mint meatballs, spinach, strawberry and feta salad or bacon and egg pie.
What better way to observe our nation’s day than by rallying up some mates and getting down to some homegrown tunes? Check out Aaradhna, David Dallas and Sons of Zion at Auckland City Council’s Waitangi Day Celebration; Kora and Funkommunity at Music in Parks: Henderson; or Greg Johnson, Andrew Fagan and Peter Urlich at Sounds Like Waitangi at the Mangawhai Tavern. Pack a picnic for Henderson, see some classic cars in Mangawhai, or explore the sculpture gardens at Barry Curtis Park.
Take along the little ones for a fun, educational experience at the Te Manawa Museum of Art Science and History in Palmerston North or the Historic Village in Tauranga where Waitangi Day will be recognised with special events throughout the day. Expect a Māori hangi, kapa haka, weaving workshops, and craft and food stalls. In Palmerston North there’s even a world-record attempt at Ti Rakau (traditional Māori stick game) – see how much you can remember from primary school. Entry is free or by koha.
Honor Te Rā o Waitangi by getting amongst the festivities down at Wellington waterfront. Pioneering Aotearoa reggae band Herbs will be hitting the stage, as will Whiri Tū Akā, a five-strong wahine Māori a capella group. When the sun sets, get your tissues ready for a screening of Whale Rider, which will be shown on the big screen in Odlin’s Plaza.
Oh! We Do Like to be Beside the Seaside! doesn’t really have anything to do with signing important documents, but we highly recommend checking out the red-lipped kisses, vintage bathing caps and pointed toes of the Wet Hot Beauties anyway. The water ballet troupe will be presenting their 1930’s-inspired show to the crowds on Takapuna beach from 1pm.
Related Tours
Related Venues
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The Mangawhai Tavern
2 Moir St, Mangawhai
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The Historic Village
17th Ave West, Tauranga
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Te Wharewaka o Poneke
Taranaki St Wharf, Wellington
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Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and History
326 Main St, Palmerston North
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Takapuna Beach
The Strand, Takapuna
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Opoui Pond
456 Poplar Road, Opiki, Shannon
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Odlins Plaza
21 Cable St, Wellington
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Muriwai Surf Club
Jack Butt Lane, Muriwai Beach
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Henderson Park
Wilsher Cres, Henderson
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Barry Curtis Park
163 Chapel Road, Flat Bush
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