In its 8th year running, Whakanuia!, an annual Waitangi Day event hosted by The Whakarewarewa Village Charitable Trust is celebrating Maori culture.
Whakanauia! started in 2008 and has provided an opportunity not only to celebrate Maori, but also to acknowledge the diversity of other cultures living here in Rotorua.
Trustspokesperson Jahvis Davis said it's the one day in the year the trust can give back to the community, "we promote different cultures each year, which gives our local residents and visitors alike, another reason to return and celebrate Waitangi Day."
Groups from surrounding schools also took the stage. Te Pakira, the meeting house, set the scene for kapa haka performances, hiphop dance groups and talented singers. Most groups have a mixture of ethnicities.
"Acknowledging and celebrating other cultures was equally as important as learning our own culture with activities, entertainment and workshops showcasing the Maori culture." Run by 40-50 passionate volunteers, most of whom are Tuhourangi uri (descendants), the purpose of creating such an event was about taking leadership as tangata whenua and bringing our community together to celebrate Waitangi Day within a living Maori environment.
Today marks the 175th anniversary of the Treaty's signing on February 6 1840. Despite the majority of treaty claims being settled, many people believe there is still a lot of work to be done in New Zealand to strengthen the relationship between Maori and Pakeha. Whakanuia! organisers hope this event unites people of all cultures.
"Some of the desired outcomes are to encourage cultural awareness and understanding within our community, to create an environment that everyone can enjoy, to bring Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao and wider Te Arawa whanau together to celebrate and share their heritage and culture with others."
Last year the event attracted over 3000 people from Rotorua and around the world. Organisers are expecting more today in what they hope to be the best Whakanuia! to date.
