Harriet Wright (14), Liam Wright, Barnaby Wright (8) and Antonia Wright interact with whakairo rakau (wood carvers) from the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.
Harriet Wright (14), Liam Wright, Barnaby Wright (8) and Antonia Wright interact with whakairo rakau (wood carvers) from the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.
The energy at Rotowhio marae ātea was something special, as tamariki swung poi, played tītī tōrea, watched cultural performances and heard wānanga about Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The event at Rotorua’s Te Puia New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute drew more than 2500 people to attend, including locals anda large number of visitors from Auckland, Tauranga, Napier and Hamilton.
The day included riding on the trains for a Pōhutu Geyser loop ride, bouncy castles, face painting, a taonga market, cultural performances, a kai marketplace and New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute artists showcasing their craft and more.
Local attendee Harriet Wright, 14, came with her mother, father and little brother. She said she enjoyed the train ride past Pōhutu Geyser, seeing the skill of the institute’s carvers and weavers, and shopping at the taonga market stalls.
“It’s been super cool, the whole vibe is really uplifting, everyone is welcoming and it’s cool seeing locals and people from around the world here,” Harriet said.
“We went on the train to look at the geysers and it was almost other-worldly in the geothermal valley. We went and saw the [institute’s] carvers and their toi – their artwork, it was super cool seeing them in their natural element, the artists are really good at what they’re doing.
“Waitangi Day to me is about unity. It’s about our country, as a whole, honouring an important part of our history and reflecting on how our country is honouring Te Tiriti. It’s about learning, I think everyone should learn something today about Te Tiriti and the history around it.”
Steph Northey Art at the taonga Marketplace.
Te Puia general manager of visitor experience Denise Emery said the event had a whānau vibe with lots of fun on a beautiful day. The kai marketplace and stallholder taonga market was humming, she said.
“We have NZMACI carvers and weavers here letting the tamariki see what we’ve been able to deliver for the last 60 years.
“We’ve also got Tohunga Te Waata Cribb taking Te Tiriti o Waitangi Wānanga, his kōrero has a packed house. It’s also great to see international visitors coming in too to learn about Waitangi Day.”
Tamariki enjoyed learning more about poi on the Rotorwhio marae atea.
New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute acting general manager Ranginui Rikirangi-Thomas said it was important to educate people about such a pivotal day in Aotearoa history.
“It’s about bringing people together. It’s not just a public holiday, it’s an opportunity to educate New Zealander’s and manuhiri [visitors] from all over the world. It’s an action-packed day here with a lot of activities for all to enjoy.”
The organisation operates under the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Vesting Act 2020 – which includes a function to encourage, foster, and promote ahurea and toi Māori (culture and Māori arts) of New Zealand, which the Waitangi Day event aims to do.
