Small towns in New Zealand each have their own character - giant Lemon & Paeroa bottles in Paeroa or carrots in Ohakune. In Waipu, it's tartan and all things Scottish.
International Tartan Day is on July 1, celebrating the day in 1782 when the ban imposed by the English on wearingtartan was lifted. What had been traditional Highland dress then became the proud emblem of nationalism in Scotland.
From July 1 for more than two weeks, Waipu will be awash with tartan and everyone who loves the energy of Scotland is invited to join in the fun. Events include Artntartan Wearable Arts to pets in tartan, mid-winter swims and the Rugby Men in Kilts challenge.
Local businesses will offer haggis tasting at the Waipu Butcher, whisky tasting in the old jail, haggis burgers at the Waipu Pizza Barn or a full-on Scottish brunch at the Clansman Motel. Tartan scarves will be on sale at the Thistle.
Of course, there will be bagpipes and highland dancing, with the Waipu Scottish Country Dancing Club hosting a ceildh on their usual club night.
These days Waipu has a population of about 500 but nearly double that number of Gaelic speaking Highlanders built a community there from the mid-1850s. After being burned out of their crofts in Scotland they began a remarkable migration across the globe, via Nova Scotia and Australia before settling in Waipu.
Their story is told in the Waipu Museum and is reflected in the greeting as you arrive in Waipu: "Cead Mille Failte - A Hundred Thousand Welcomes".
