New Venue for Waitangi Day Events

Celebrations for Waitangi Day are coming into the central city as the event moves to a new venue.

This year’s event will be held on Puke Ariki Landing from noon to 4pm, with people gathering at the Wind Wand for a dawn ceremony at 6am.

“We want to bring the ngahau (celebration) into a central location and try some new things so that it’s a fresh experience for people,” says Manager Community Development Bry Kopu.

“We’ve got a great line-up of stage performers for the day, and there will also be food and art stalls, free children’s activities, gallery tours at Puke Ariki and treaty education on offer.

“It’s a great way for families and the wider community to spend a day together.”

New Plymouth District Council has also organised a series of free workshops from 4-8 February on various issues to do with the Treaty of Waitangi and race relations, which will all be held in Puke Ariki’s Learning Centre in the North Wing.

“The workshops are relaxed and informal, and have proved a really popular way for people to talk about issues that are important in our community,” says Ms Kopu.

“There is also a day-long seminar being held on 8 February in the South Wing of Puke Ariki, which will look at the portrayal of cultures and biculturalism in New Zealand and Asia.

“So there is a lot on offer, whether people want to just relax and enjoy the day or have the chance to take part in discussions.”

The public can phone NPDC to register their place for the workshops or the seminar.

The programme for Waitangi week is:

Monday 4 February:

How important is the Treaty of Waitangi in 2008? (Free workshop – noon, Learning Centre, North Wing, Puke Ariki.)

Tuesday 5 February:

Finding common ground. (Free workshop – noon, Learning Centre.)
Valuing older people’s perspective on the treaty. (Free workshop – 3pm, Learning Centre.)

Wednesday 6 February:

Dawn ceremony (6am at the Wind Wand). Ceremony led by Ngati Te Whiti and includes kapa haka and a free community breakfast.
Ngahau @ Puke Ariki (noon to 4pm at Puke Ariki Landing). Stage programme includes Ladi6, Maori Element, Ethical, kapa haka, Japanese taiko drummers, and Tongan and Samoan performers.

Thursday 7 February:

How to apply the treaty in your workplace. (Free workshop – noon, Learning Centre.)

Friday 8 February:

Tino rangatiratanga: What does it really mean? (Free workshop – noon, Learning Centre.)

Puke Ariki Waitangi Seminar: ‘Maori – Pakeha – Asian: Cultural Tides on the Pacific Rim’. (Free for Puke Ariki members, $25 for all others – 9am-4pm, third floor meeting room, South Wing, Puke Ariki.)