Thousands salute Waitangi Day celebrations in Capital and Porirua

Tuesday, 6 February 2018

Hundreds take in Wellington Waitangi Day celebrations

It was nearly 30 years ago since the Green Flame was last seen paddled on the water, but it was once again a crowd favourite this Waitangi Day.

Renovations of the Toa Te Ahi Kākāriki waka finally came together to the delight of the estimated 10,000 people celebrating on the edges of Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour, north of Wellington.

For Porirua resident, and kaitakitaki (waka leader), Hohepa Potini, the moment 30 members of his Ngāti Toa iwi took to the water was a proud one.

Hundreds watched on as three traditionally carved Māori waka saluted the beginning of Wellington's Waitangi Day celebrations.

He and other family members were part of the crew who paddled the waka during the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1990.

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The Te Ahi Kākāriki waka was restored in time for Waitangi Day celebrations, and paddled on Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour by members of the Ngāti Toa iwi.

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Waitangi Day in Porirua wasn't just a day to celebrate the coming together of Māori and Pakeha - there were also Cook Island, Fiji, Tokelau/Atafu performances to enjoy.

'It has brought back so many memories and emotions. My uncles who were on it 27 years ago, when they saw it today, I could see they were welling up.

'There was a lot of emotion and history out there today, it really feels good, it's really uplifting.'

The Green Flame was restored only days before Porirua's Waitangi Day celebrations.

It truly was a family affair as carver Nathan Rei completed the rauawa, with brother Alma, while Herman Saltzman finished the taurapa (sternpost). Pedro Busby also helped with the carving, and Nelson Solomon shaped and carved the hoe (paddles).

There was plenty to do and see for the thousands who descended on the Wi Neera Dr festival, appropriately themed around waka ama.

The Te Ahi Kākāriki waka was paddled during the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1990.

But it wasn't just a day to celebrate the coming together of two cultures, Māori and Pakeha.

Cook Island, Fiji, Tokelau/Atafu performances - including indigenous dances from sister city, Blacktown, Australia - highlighted the community's multicultural background.

Porirua Mayor Mike Tana estimated more than 10,000 people descended on the city north of Wellington to enjoy Waitangi Day festivities.

In Wellington, hundreds lined Whairepo Lagoon to watch crews of the three Māori waka - Te Rerenga Kōtare, Te Hononga, and Poutu - demonstrate the waka salute.

As crews came ashore, kaihatū Matt Ramunson-Tyall led in the Wellingtonian haka, Kupe Hautoa.

'For me, Waitangi Day is a day of celebration,' he said after the demonstration.

'It's a day where we can acknowledge our history and recognise that we have come together as two nations.'

Naturally, Waitangi Park and its surrounds was the place to be in the capital on Waitangi Day.

And as the sun shone and hāngī eaten, performances from te reo metal band Alien Weaponry and local legends Salmonella Dub livened up the day's festivities.

For resident Melissa Nepeapatu, it was also a day to further educate Kiwis of all cultures about the importance of Waitangi Day.

'Waitangi Day means for me why is it today that that question is asked?

'This is more than just celebrating two iwi - iwi Pakeha and iwi Māori - signing a treaty.

'It's about how we educate our children and how we should be living as a country. It should be a question should not just asked today, but everyday of the week.'