Jacinda Ardern will be attending the main Waitangi Day celebrations in the Bay of Islands. Photo/File
Jacinda Ardern will be attending the main Waitangi Day celebrations in the Bay of Islands. Photo/File
For the first time in three years a Prime Minister will be attending the main Waitangi Day celebrations in the Bay of Islands.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has accepted an invitation to be welcomed on to Te Whare Runanga - the carved meeting house - at the Upper Treaty groundsthe day prior to Waitangi and said she is looking forward to attending for the first time as the leader of the country.
The last time a Prime Minister attended the main Waitangi Day commemorations was in 2015 when John Key attended. Photo/John Stone
A Prime Minister has not attended celebrations at Waitangi since 2015.
In 2016 then Prime Minister John Key made the decision not to head to the Bay of Islands after a lack of speaking rights at Te Tii Marae, where the pre-Waitangi Day powhiri is traditionally held, and last year former Prime Minister Bill English followed suit.
The mass haka by paddlers on Te Tii Beach is one of the most popular events at Waitangi Day celebrations. Photo/John Stone
Waitangi Festival 2018 Programme Monday, February 5 4.45–5.15pm: Royal NZ Navy Beat Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset on the Upper Treaty Grounds. Navy band concert and marching followed by the lowering of the flag.
Waitangi Day Upper Treaty Grounds 5am: Dawn Service at Te Whare Runanga 6.30am: Flag raising ceremony accompanied by Scottish bagpiper Bain McGregor 10am: Interdenominational Church service at Te Whare Runanga 11.30am: Royal NZ Navy Big Band performance and kapahaka at the Flagstaff 12noon: Royal NZ Navy 21-gun salute at the Flagstaff 12.30-4.45pm: Entertainment starts at the Main Stage 4.45–5.15pm: Royal NZ Navy Beat Retreat at the flagpole. Navy band concert and marching followed by the lowering of the flag
Waka stage 10am–4pm: Market stalls selling arts, craft, and food will be operating 12.05pm: Northland Hip Hop Dance Group 12.30pm: The Martin Whanau – classical musicians 1.00pm: Te Pu Ao – kapa haka 1.30pm: Hatea – kapa haka 2pm: John Donoghue and Wayne Mason – song writer and recording artist 2.30pm: Te Huaki Puanaki - Maori songwriter and recording artist 3pm: Jack Tane – musician 3.30pm: DDF Dance Crew - local hip hop dance group Waka will be on the water throughout the day with an appearance by the world's largest ceremonial canoe, Ngatokimatawhaorua (tide and weather dependant).
Sports Field Area (opposite the Treaty Grounds) 9am–3pm: Whanau Ora, Whanau Rangatiratanga and Ngati Hine FM are providing a full programme of activities and entertainment from the stage. 10am–4pm: Children's fun rides and various activities including a bouncy castle 10am–4pm: Market stalls selling arts, craft and food.
