WAITANGI DAY CELEBRATION GETS TONGUES WAGGING
NO need to cross the ditch to immerse yourself in New Zealand food and culture, all you need to do is head to Southport tomorrow.
While we have Australia Day, our Kiwi cousins have something just as emotional in their Waitangi Day celebrations.
About 5000 people are expected to attend the event at the Broadwater Parklands from 9am-6pm. This is the event’s 10th year at the venue.
“There will be kids and adults performing, lots of food stalls of all different nationalities and retail stalls,” event manager Karolyn Brown said.
“We use it as our catch-up day – it’s laid back – we get plenty of Australians and other nationalities coming along too.
“We will have a traditional hangi cooked, traditional performers, and at 9.15am we will have the powhiri, which is a welcome and blessing for the day.
“It’s where our elders show that they approve of what we’re doing, they bless the grounds and the people who are there on the day.’’
Waitangi Day marks the signing in 1840 of the Treaty of Waitangi, which guaranteed Maori people land rights and marked the coming together in friendship of Maori people and European settlers.
There will be no alcohol permitted. Pets are allowed.