Newsable: How Waitangi prepares for thousands of visitors

Monday, 5 February 2024

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While most of us were on holiday in early January, preparations were well underway for Waitangi Day, and the arrival of thousands of people to the Treaty Grounds.

It’s estimated this year’s commemorations could be attended by up to 50,000 people.

Chairman of The Waitangi National Trust, Pita Tipene, spoke on Newsable about the preparation required to get ready for the occasion and the influx of visitors each year.

“We start preparing for the next year always looking for continuous improvement and looking to how we can do things better - that’s a good 11 months prior [to Waitangi Day].

“In the first week of January, we recharge, we start getting back together and start pulling together all of the pieces,” said Tipene.

He predicted that the number of people who attended this year’s commemorations would be more than usual.

“Over the course of five to seven days, we usually get approximately 30,000 [people]. I would say that we’d get up to 50,000 this year. Tūheitia, the Kīngitanga, (Māori King) [is] coming. Alone, he brings a huge group so, yeah, there’ll be much more people and we’re expecting it, we’re ready.”

Tipene also shared his thoughts on if this year’s Waitangi commemorations felt different to other years.