Waitangi Day welcome for new Kiwis at Banks Peninsula marae

Distinguished guests will join Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy and Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel at Ōnuku Marae near Akaroa for this year’s Waitangi Day celebrations.

They will be welcomed onto the marae – the site of the signing of the Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) – with a pōwhiri (traditional welcome) at 8am on Wednesday.

Ngāi Tahu Chairperson Lisa Tumahai, Ngāi Tahu representative Sir Tipene O’Regan and Dame Patsy will address the gathering.

A special citizenship ceremony led by the Mayor will be held at 11am, with 51 people from 12 countries pledging allegiance to their new home.

Ōnuku Marae will host the Ngāi Tahu Treaty Festival.

Further around Banks Peninsula, Okains Bay will host Waitangi Day celebrations for the 44th consecutive year.

People are invited to gather at the Okains Bay Māori and Colonial Museum for a family day to commemorate the signing of the treaty. Among the highlights are a pōwhiri, hāngi lunch, children’s races and the paddling of a stunning waka on Ōpara Stream.

In the city, the Waitangi Festival will be held in Victoria Square from 10am, with haka, games, Māori artists' stalls, kai stalls and a hāngi.

Christchurch Art Gallery will host a day of free performances, haka, art and family friendly activities, including Te Rerenga – The Flight, an interactive musical, featuring “Flatsie” puppets.

A free event, the “I Love New Brighton” family fun day features activities, sports, a market, food stalls, bouncy castles and performances in popular Thomson Park.

In Kaiapoi, Waitangi Day celebrations will centre on Trousselot Park, with entertainment and food stalls, along with a hāngi.

Tūranga will also host Te Kerēme, a Ngāi Tahu perspective: A Waitangi presentation on Friday, 1 February at 6pm, focusing on local history relating to the signing of the treaty.