Free family events mark Waitangi Day

Crowds flocked to last year's Big 9 Waitangi Day Celebrations at Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park. Photo/File

Two Waitangi Day celebrations will grace Hawke's Bay tomorrow allowing people to enjoy the national day with sports, music, food and kapa haka.

The Waitangi Family Festival and the Big 9 Waitangi Day celebrations will be held in Clive and Hastings, respectively, and are expected to draw thousands of people to the free events.

Held at the Farndon Park Domain in Clive, this year will be the 15th time the Waitangi Family Festival will take place.

The family event from 9am to 4pm is held close to where the Treaty signings took place in Hawke's Bay.

Councillor Henare O'Keefe is also welcoming people to hikoi with him from the Waipatu Marae on Karamu Rd to Clive for the festivities.

"It will be a leisurely 7km stroll and we will arrive just in time for the welcome reception.

"It is an absolute celebration of Waitangi Day. Bring your flags and your banners for what will be a wonderful day."

Music will also play an important part in the celebrations this year with a range of Hawke's Bay's artists performing on the Waitangi Stage.

Meanwhile at Sports Park Hawke's Bay from 8am until 6pm the Big 9 Waitangi Day celebrations will take place.

The day will include nine sports, arts and music events.

Organiser Te Rangi Huata said this is the fourth year at Sports Park Hawke's Bay for The Big 9.

"The day starts with a Waitangi Day ceremony at the start line of the community duathlon, a great symbol of togetherness. This same togetherness can be seen during the day through sporting activities, cultural and food exchanges celebrating our cultural diversity.

"Our day celebrates unity for families, communities, iwi and nation."

The organisers of Kai in the Bay are also bringing 30 food traders and exhibitors providing delicious kai.

The biennial Ngati Kahungunu Regional Kapa Haka competitions will showcase a record 13 teams this year, vying for a place in the Te Matatini National Kapa Haka 2015 in Christchurch.