Treaty of Waitangi
There are many varied Waitangi Day commemorations and celebrations around the country. Among them:
* Modest celebrations at Waitangi itself. There will be no Governor-General, no Prime Minister, no Royal New Zealand Navy. Government-funded maori health provider Mapo withdrew its sponsorship last week, saying it was not appropriate to support the event while a crown boycott of Waitangi was in place. For Ngapuhi, these will be the quietest commemorations in years. The programme for the Treaty Grounds will begin with a karakia (prayer) at 5 am. This will coincide with the blessing of 15 new carved poupou (posts) in the waka shelter at Hobson Beach. A church service will be held at the whare runanga in the Treaty Grounds at 10 am, ending with an address by High Court judge and Waitangi Tribunal chairman Justice Eddie Durie. This will be followed by entertainment and children's activities. Songs and prayers will start at 4 pm.
* Commemorations at the grave in Grafton Gully of the first governor, William Hobson (pictured below), will start at 10 am. There will be a naval guard and Auckland Mayor Christine Fletcher will attend.
* There will be a Navy parade at Windsor Reserve, Devonport, from 11.30 am. A 21-gun salute will rock the air at noon.
* Waiata Artists Trust has organised the 10.30 am St Matthew's-in-the City (corner of Hobson and Wellesley Sts) annual service with multicultural choirs and speakers. All welcome.
* Possibly the most funky and fabulous Waitangi Day celebrations will be held at the AUT marae, corner of Symonds and Wellesley Sts, in Auckland City. Powhiri at 2 pm. Free dance and song workshops start at 3 pm. Also a new show preview, Toro Toro, with Mika Haka. All welcome, especially young people.
* The six-day Awataha Summer Festival of Arts kicks off at the Awataha Marae, 58 Akoranga Drive, Northcote, at 10 am with a Waitangi Day service. All welcome.
* The Toi Manukau annual family day will be held at Hayman Park, off Lambie Drive and Ronwood Ave in central Manukau. Powhiri at 10 am. The Prime Minister will drop in.
* Waitangi Day Multicultural Celebrations, including an Asia Pacific cultural festival, will be held at the Otara Town Centre, starting at 10.
* After last year's success, the Maori Millennium Committee has organised a second fun day out for the local community at Clive Domain, between Napier and Hastings. It starts at 10.30 am with a powhiri and continues throughout the day. All welcome.
* Waitangi Day commemorations at Papakura Marae, Hunua Rd. Speeches, lunch and cultural performances and entertainment. 10 am onward. All welcome.
* Wellington Tenths Trust commemoration day in Frank Kitts Park: powhiri, cultural performances, craft stalls, hangi and displays.
* For anyone who wants to find out more about the treaty, there will be a hui at Pouakani Marae, Mangakino. Powhiri at 9 am. All welcome.
* North Art Community Arts Centre has organised a concert at Hinemoa Park, Birkenhead, next to Birkenhead Wharf, to celebrate Waitangi Day. All are welcome to the concert, which starts at 1 pm.
Weather for the national day might require a brolly as well as sunscreen. Most places in the top half of the North Island will have showers in the morning. Southwesterly winds of up to 30 km/h will ease in the afternoon and sun will break through in most places in the afternoon.
Cruising in
Two more cruise liners are due in Auckland today. The Pacific Sky arrives at 7 am and departs at 10 pm. The Fuji Mara arrives from Noumea at 7 am and sails at 6 pm tomorrow, bound for Tauranga.
Waiuku celebrates
The town of Waiuku and surrounding districts are celebrating 150 years of trading. Events kick off this morning, leading up to a fireworks display at 9.30 pm.
Vintage cars
Auckland Veteran and Vintage Car Club members plan to cruise the roads around the city before heading to the Western Springs Speedway Stadium for a picnic.
Tax reminder
Tomorrow, February 7, is the deadline for end-of-year tax payments. Get those payments in or talk to the Inland Revenue folk on 0800 162 684 (personal) or 0800 162 685 (business).
Also today ...
Dutch mariner Abel Tasman became the first white man to sight Fiji, in 1643, King George VI died in 1952, and Axl Rose, lead singer of rock group Guns 'n' Roses, will be blowing out 39 candles.
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