Waitangi Day in red: Events and activities across Aotearoa

Saturday, 5 February 2022

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says Northlanders should continue to encourage people to get vaccinated, and responds to the cancellation of 2022 Waitangi Day celebrations.

Many events on February 6 to commemorate Waitangi Day have been cancelled due to the Omicron outbreak, including at the Treaty Grounds. But there are still plenty of events and activities available across Aotearoa.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

While the Waitangi Treaty Grounds will be closed to the public on Waitangi Day, the Waitangi National Trust Board has partnered with TV3 to deliver a three-hour virtual Waitangi Day programme from 7am.

Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro will deliver an address to the nation at 4.30pm.

“We are creating a virtual Waitangi Day, honouring the promise of Waitangi to the nation and encouraging all New Zealanders to continue conversations and debate about Te Tiriti and our nationhood, especially with the bicentennial being only 18 years away now,” Waitangi National Trust chairman Pita Tipene said.

Events at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds have been cancelled due to the Omicron outbreak. (File Photo)

* Waitangi Day in red: Events and activities for Northland and Auckland

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Vector lights will be illuminating the story of Ngāti Whātua on the Harbour Bridge this weekend.

Vector Lights for Waitangi Day

The Auckland Harbour Bridge will light up in celebration of Waitangi Day to commemorate the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi).

This free event will take place 9pm-midnight from Wednesday 2 February to Monday 7 February.

The show is designed to tell the story of how iwi manaaki (host iwi) – Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei –migrated to Tāmaki Makaurau.

Pompallier Mission and Printery in Russell will be one of the many sites free on Waitangi Day.

There are a number of locations to view the light show including the Auckland waterfront, Bastion Point, Bayswater Marina, Mt Victoria in Devonport, Harbour View Reserve and the Te Atatu Peninsula.

Free entry into Heritage New Zealand properties

Like a bit of history? There are a number of historic buildings offering free entry nationwide.

Veteran broadcaster Stacey Morrison is well known for her advocacy of te reo Māori.

Representing the layered history of Aotearoa, they include the Pompallier Mission, Printery in Russell, Ewelme Cottage in Parnell and Highwic in Epsom.

Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House will also be open for free in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

A full list of times and sites which will be free for the day can be found at visitheritage.co.nz.

Liz Cotton is the museum and arts director at Waikato Museum.

Māori Television

Stacey Morrison and Neil Waka will host all-day coverage of commemorations. The itinerary includes a virtual Waitangi Day programme in the morning, New Zealand-made films, musical performances in the afternoon and ending with Rotorua-born musician Troy Kingi delivering a concert to midnight.

Māori Television chief executive Shane Taurima said the decision to partner with iwi media for Waitangi commemorations was important.

Wellington City Council has lined up an online performance for Waitangi Day.

“It is critical that Māori perspectives are told by Māori and contribute to our strengths as a nation. Our partnership with iwi media ensures these stories are recorded and shared for our mokopuna and all future generations of Aotearoa.”

Waikato Museum

Fat Freddy's Drop performing at Rhythm & Alps 2020.

Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato is hosting free activities to mark Waitangi Day and the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in permanent displays including the majestic Te Winika, a 200-year-old carved waka taua (war canoe), and touring exhibitions such as the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award, which provides emerging Māori artists with the opportunity to showcase their talents on the national state.

The museum will also have Waitangi Day activity kits filled with crafts and resources. The free kits are best suited to primary school-aged children, and are available while supplies last.

The Waitangi Day Whānau Festival will kick off from 11am at Dunedin’s Octagon.

Te Rā o Waitangi

Wellington City Council’s arts and events team has lined up an awarding cast of Māori performers for an online performance that kicks off at 12pm.

Performers include the Ngāti Pōneke Māori Club, James Kereama Stent and Tui Tahere-Katene, Joel Ruys & the Huia Express, Majic and Whaiao, and Hani Totorewa.

For more information, and to join the livestream, visit the council’s Facebook page or YouTube channel.

Kotahi Music Festival

The Kotahi annual Waitangi Day music festival is also going ahead online, with international headliners Fat Freddy’s Drop doing the entertaining, along with other local Wellington acts The Nudge, The Baker’s Three, and DJ Magnette.

Find out more at kotahimusic.co.nz. Kotahi 2022 will be streaming on YouTube and Facebook.

Waitangi Day Whānau Festival, Dunedin

Dunedin City Council is going ahead with celebrations in the Upper Octagon “to acknowledge our national day and our diverse community with kai, craft and musical fun for the whole whānau”.

The festival, which runs from 11am-2pm, will feature Molly Devine with Maddy Parkins-Craig, David Eggleton, NZ Poet Laureate with Richard Wallis, and Black-Sale House.

It will also be live-streamed on the council’s YouTube channel.