Waitangi Day: The big events to go to in Hawke's Bay

A hikoi walked from the Celestial Compass at Waitangi Regional Park, Awatoto, to the Waitangi Family Festival, Clive River, Clive, on Waitangi Day, 2019. Photo / File

There will be plenty to do in Hawke's Bay to celebrate Waitangi Day.

Every year on February 6, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

In that year, representatives of the British Crown and more than 500 Māori chiefs signed what is often considered to be New Zealand's founding document. The day was first officially commemorated in 1934, and has been a public holiday since 1974.

Ngāti Kahungunu has organised a free community Waitangi Day Family Celebration in Hastings at the Mitre 10 Park, formerly known as the Regional Hawke's Bay Sports Park.

Organisers of the event are expecting a "huge crowd".

Netball, touch and a league 9s tournament will start at 8am and go through until early afternoon.

The Hawke's Bay District Health Board will be leading an interactive health village with key messages for good health including 'Smokefree Kahungunu, Healthy food options, Water is the best drink, Safe environment for pēpi wellness, Support to help whānau affected by problem gambling, Asthma and respiratory services and Youth Services'.

A special ceremony to mark Waitangi Day will take place at noon followed by a full afternoon of entertainment including soul powered funk, Hipstamatics, Harmonic Resonators, Adeaze, NRG Rising, Israel Starr and local artists Talitha Blake and Aaron Edwards.

Event organisers Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated will also be bringing back New Zealand's iconic Mahons Family Amusement rides and Madd Funs inflatables for the littlies with all the rides all day.

There will be free onsite parking. The event is funded by Ngāti Kahungunu, Hastings District Council and Te Puni Kōkiri, Clubs Hastings and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

The Waitangi Day commemorations at Clive will open as an early morning hikoi (walk) starting at the Atea a Rangi Celestial Compass at Waitangi Park, Awatoto at 7.45am, to be followed at 8.30am by a haka powhiri (welcome) by local Maori and Te Aute College on the banks of the river adjacent to Farndon Park.

A re-enactment of the arrival of settlers in the presence of local waka ama, and an opportunity for everyone to sign a Peace Treaty will be followed by a cup of tea for all.

The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi by three local chiefs aboard the HMS Herald in June 1840 near Waipureku, a site between the mouths of the Tukituki and Ngaruroro rivers, will be the focus of the event.

Howard McGuire, a member of the organising committee, explained that the commemoration was previously organised and run by Jim and Marie Edwards, who have taken a back seat this year.

"It has always involved Nga Tukemata o Kahungunu, the multi-seat carved waka which has taken dignitaries and members of the public for a brief paddle up the river," he said.

"However, the build up of silt, combined with low tide that morning has meant the huge waka would not be able to float although there will be some smaller waka and the Sea Scouts' dinghies taking part."

Unlike previous years, there will be no stalls, entertainment and music in the adjacent park, so it is expected activities will be completed by 10 am.

"We have called the event Waipureku Waitangi to acknowledge the actual site that the Treaty was signed on June 24, 1840 – under duress, according to Kaumatua Jerry Hapuku whose tipuna Te Hapuku was one of the local chiefs who signed on the day."

The organising committee included Napier councillor Maxine Boag, HDC's Ann Redstone and Alwyn Corban, Marie Edwards and Pete Findlay.