Sky-high entertainment has been lined up at Waitangi for the commemoration of the 172nd anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi next month.
The Navy Band will open the commemorations for the big event with a public concert in the Turner Centre at Kerikeri at 6pm on February 2.
Naval ceremonies, a bug trail, ki-o-rahi tournament and music are among the family events expected to draw more than 20,000 people to Te Tii Beach and the Treaty Grounds during the Waitangi Festival over the following four days.
But the air force - co-ordinating with the navy at the Bay of Islands Treaty commemoration for the first time - has top billing for the festival with a 15-minute performance by five planes from its aerobatic Red Checkers flying team between 12.15pm and 12.45pm on Waitangi Day, February 6.
The traditional taki or wero for dignitaries arriving at the Waitangi Marae has in the past applied only to the Crown. This time, challenges will begin when the Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, who has ties to Ngati Tuwharetoa and Ngati Kahungunu, arrives at 9am on February 4, and will also be issued when Ngati Awa and Waipareira representatives arrive at 2pm and 4pm respectively.
There will be a taki for Prime Minister John Key too when he arrives at 10am on February 5. A Treaty claims forum listed on the marae programme for the early afternoon on February 6 was yesterday still to be confirmed.
Waitangi National Trust chief executive Jeanette Richardson said the extended Defence Force participation was in keeping with the policy adopted in recent years to increase entertainment to create a family-oriented environment.
"While the underlying theme for Waitangi Day will always remain as commemorations to mark the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and the coming together of two peoples, it is important that we also continue to create an atmosphere in which people can enjoy themselves and will want to participate."
Major events of the festival are:
February 4: All day, bug trail tree-stump habitats and other locations identified by signs at strategic locations on nature walks at the Treaty Grounds; 9am-3pm, ki-o-rahi tournament, sports field, Treaty Grounds; 10-11am, Navy Band, public concert, Russell Village Green; 10am-1pm, musical entertainment, Treaty House courtyard, and RNZN children's ship tour; noon-5pm, Kerikeri weavers demonstration, Treaty House; 6-7.30pm, BlackSandDiva concert, Hobson Bay stage.
February 5: 8am, Navy colour ceremony, Treaty Grounds flagstaff; all day, bug trail; 10am-1pm, colonial entertainment, Treaty House courtyard; noon-5pm, Kerikeri weavers demonstration, Treaty House; 1.30-4.30pm, family entertainment, Hobson Bay stage; 4.55pm-5.30pm, Navy sunset ceremony, flagstaff; 6pm-7.30pm, Dame Malvina Major/Frankie Stevens concert, Hobson Bay stage.
February 6: 5am, dawn karakia, Whare Runanga; 6.30am, Scottish piper, flagstaff; 8am, Navy colour ceremony, flagstaff; 8am, shuttle buses start at Haruru Falls; 10.30am-11.30am, church service, Hobson Bay stage; 10am, Waitangi Bridge closed; 11.30am-noon, Navy Band concert, to be arranged; noon-12.15pm, Navy 21-gun salute, Treaty Grounds; 12.15pm-12.45pm, RNZAF Red Checkers display, Treaty Grounds; 1.15pm-3.30pm, family entertainment, Treaty Grounds and stage; 4pm-4.30pm, navy sunset ceremony, Treaty Grounds; 5pm, last shuttle bus leaves, Hobson Memorial.