Maori arts and cultural performances, live music and workshops are just some of the offerings for this year’s Waitangi Day Festival at the Historic Village next Saturday, February 6th. The day is organised by He Iwi Kotahi Tauranga Moana Charitable Trust and Trustee Buddy Mikaere says the annual festival will be bigger again this year. “Our Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival is an opportunity for us to both commemorate the signing of the Treaty and acknowledge and embrace Tauranga’s multi-cultural, multi-ethnic makeup. It’s about acknowledging our past and building our unity for the future.”
Buddy says this year’s celebrations will open with a traditional welcome and flag raising ceremony. Throughout the day the public can enjoy live music, onsite food trucks and a diverse and exciting line up of workshops. “James Muir from Te Kohinga has put together the educational workshops which will run in the Village Theatre including The Treaty 101 and The Battle of Gate Pa, meanwhile The Incubator have a host of workshops ranging from Poi Making to Brush Calligraphy, Moasaic making, Raranga, Koauau with Bamboo, a Tītī Tōrea workshop and a demonstration of painting of the Tino Rangatira Flag.”
The live music this year includes Soul Sax, Damo Innes, Pow Wow, DJ Chris Ramage, Epoch Events and others and culminates in a showstopper 30-minute Kapa Haka performance and Flag Lowering finale from 3.30pm.
Buddy says central to the day will be Maori arts and cultural performances, music and the educational and creative workshops. “Only through understanding and respect can we truly begin to grow as one people and Waitangi Day is the perfect opportunity for us all to come together and take another step forward towards greater unity. It will be a magic day where the public can bring their friends, whanau and picnic rugs and enjoy a amazing day on the village green.”
The festival runs from 10am – 4pm, Saturday February 6th, at The Historic Village. Entry is free, koha welcome and there’s parking and a free shuttle bus from Tauranga Boys College. For more information go to www.waitangidaytauranga.co.nz
