Crowds gather last year at Hopukiore for the start of the dawn ceremony on Waitangi Day. Photo / David Hall
February 6 marks the anniversary of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi). To commemorate Aotearoa New Zealand’s national day, events will be held throughout Bay of Plenty.
Most Waitangi Day events across the Bay of Plenty will go ahead this year under the shadow of the January landslides in Mount Maunganui and Welcome Bay that killed eight people.
Organisers said the events would centre around reflection, unity and support for affected whānau and offer a chance for communities to “come together” following tragedy.
Tauranga City Council’s annual Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day service will return to Hopukiore (Mount Drury Reserve) this year.
A statement from the council said an agreement was reached that the service would proceed as planned, following the January 22 Mount Maunganui landslide that killed six people.
Organising committees held “careful and respectful kōrero” with tangata whenua about continuing to hold the dawn service.
“There is a strong acknowledgement that community events, such as the Waitangi Day Dawn Service, play an important role in bringing people together in challenging times,” the statement read.
The Waitangi Day Dawn Service has been observed for more than 50 years, and for more than a decade, Tauranga Moana has gathered at Hopukiore.
“A tradition that will continue,” the statement said.
Proceedings begin at 6.30am with a whakatau from tangata whenua, and the service includes speeches from local kaumātua (elders), civic leaders, rangatahi (youth) and cultural performances.
The ceremony concludes with a karakia about 8am.
Tauranga City Council head of community hubs, arts, heritage and events Gareth Wallis said the council was working through all upcoming events on a case-by-case basis.
“Where changes are required, appropriate adjustments will be made, including changes to some event locations.”
Geotechnical advice was provided before Hopukiore reopened, with all safety work, including tree removal and track inspections, completed.
Wallis said the city was “united in grief” coming to terms with the loss of life following the landslides.
“Our thoughts remain firmly with the families who have lost loved ones, and with everyone affected.
“The upcoming Waitangi Day Dawn Service will play an important role in bringing people together during this challenging time.”
The Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival, organised by He Iwi Kotahi Tauranga Moana Charitable Trust, will proceed as planned for its seventh year at the Historic Village.
Organisers said there would be no changes to the schedule, location, or format following the landslides.
He Iwi Kotahi Tauranga Moana Charitable Trust organisers told the Bay of Plenty Times that following recent events, this year’s Waitangi Day Festival carried added meaning for the community.
“This year’s festival is an opportunity for our community to come together in reflection and unity, acknowledging the Mount Maunganui landslide victims and the Welcome Bay Road landslide victims,” organisers said.
The Historic Village will fence off one area identified as a potential risk, following a geotechnical assessment by Tauranga City Council.
This year’s celebrations will include a scheduled acknowledgement and a moment of silence to honour all the people who lost their lives in the recent landslides.
“It is a time to honour those lives lost, to support affected whānau and to reaffirm the values of unity, togetherness and collective strength that are at the heart of Waitangi Day,” organisers said.
The festival will run from 10am to 3pm, beginning with a karakia led by local kaumātua, followed by the Royal New Zealand Navy flag-raising ceremony and singing of the national anthem.
Long-standing supporter of the festival Mabel Wharekawa-Burt will return as MC, and He Iwi Kotahi invited all to enjoy a day centred on unity, culture and connection.
Ngāi Te Rangi has cancelled Māori in the Moana due to the adverse weather events.
Chief executive Paora Stanley said record rainfall in January caused extensive flooding at Whareroa Reserve, where the event would have been held, with most of the grounds underwater.
Floodwaters started to recede last week and the decision was made to call off Māori in the Moana to prevent further damage to the fields.
Stanley said he also acknowledged the significant natural disasters at Mauao, Ngāpeke (Welcome Bay) and the concerns about Mangatawa (Pāpāmoa).
“We are focused on community wellbeing at this time.”
Stanely said the kaupapa focused on connection, culture, hauora, whānau wellbeing and bringing the community together.
Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust said the event would be back in 2027.
“Māori in the Moana evolved so whānau and the wider community could come together to celebrate being Māori in Tauranga Moana,” Stanley said.
“It is about creating positive whānau memories of Waitangi Day, which really resonated with people.”
Te Rā o Waitangi Whānau Festival (Waitangi Day Family Festival) will take place at the Haiku Reserve in Katikati from 11am-3pm.
The event is organised by the Western Bay Museum, and begins with a mihi (official opening) from kuia and kaumātua of Ngāi Tamawhariua’s Te Rereatukahia Marae.
A line-up of cultural acts will perform, including Katikati College’s kapa haka group Te Kapa o Uretara ki Wharei, Tauranga’s Cook Islands group and Katikati’s Indian cultural group.
Cultural interactive workshops and craft activities will run throughout the day, including poi making, harakeke (flax) weaving and Pasifika lei and crown crafting.
A combined kapa haka group performance from students, aged 5-12, of Ōmokoroa No 1, Ōmokoroa Point, Whakamārama, Pahoia and Te Puna schools will close the day.
Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Dawn Service
When: 6.30am to 8.00am (attendees welcomed to gather from 6am)
Where: Hopukiore (Mount Drury Reserve), 25 Pacific Avenue, Mount Maunganui
Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival
When: 10am to 3pm
Where: The Historic Village, 17th Ave West, Tauranga South
Entry is free, with koha welcomed.
Travelling by bus is encouraged, and free parking available onsite.
Katikati Waitangi Day festival
When: 11am-3pm
Where: Haiku Park, 60 Main Road, Katikati
Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.