Hangi Fiesta shapes up for Waitangi Day

Maureen Adair is preparing for the first Waitangi Hangi Fiesta at the Town Basin in Whangarei. Photo/Michael Cunningham

Whangarei people looking to celebrate Waitangi Day need not head up to Paihia this year - with two events on locally.

The inaugural Waitangi Hangi Fiesta is being held from 11am on Thursday at the canopy bridge in the Town Basin.

There will be Kiwiana and ethnic food stalls including hangi, a buskers' stage featuring local musicians, Parihaka Waka Ama demonstrations, and jazz band Thelonious Punk playing in the gazebo by Revas.

"It's all about the community coming together to celebrate our national day," said the event's organiser, Maureen Adair.

"The idea is that people come down, listen to some music and share some food."

Parihaka Waka Ama is holding a have-a-go session at the same time, with short races and demonstrations.

"Bring your paddleboards, kayaks and life-jackets and come for a paddle up the river," she said.

Ms Adair has experience helping run the Artisans Fair, and was motivated to create the Waitangi Hangi Fiesta to give Whangarovians - and those "who don't like the crowd factor of being in Waitangi" - something to do on Waitangi Day.

"This is the inaugural event so support from community is required with the hope of it becoming a yearly event. I have ideas to make it bigger and better though this year will keep it simple and start small," said Ms Adair.

"Whangarei District Council and the Town Basin retailers have been wonderful with their support of the event."

Next year she hopes to have a stage, a reggae band playing throughout the day, and possibly circus performers, finishing at dusk with a fire show.

A family-friendly Waitangi in the Park event is also being held from 9am to 4pm on Thursday at the park next to New World in Onerahi.

On offer will be an open forum Treaty workshop, food stalls, hangi, sausage sizzle, chowder, mussel fritters, and fried bread, kiddies touch football, and slippery slide, and for the adults - weaving and arts and crafts.

For the programme of Waitangi Day festivities at the Treaty Grounds, see pages 16 & 17.