Waitangi Day commemorations

Thousands are expected at Okains Bay for the South Island’s longestrunning Waitangi Day commemorations while Ngai Tahu’s main celebration will be at the world’s southern-most marae in Bluff.

Today, Okains Bay Ma¯ ori and Colonial Museum will host its 43rd consecutive Waitangi Day event to mark the 178th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Gates open at 8.30am, waka will paddle the O¯ para Stream at 9.30am and the po¯ whiri will be at 10.30am. A ha¯ ngı¯ lunch will be prepared.

Museum demonstrations will include bread baking in a traditional clay oven and displays from master weavers and blacksmiths.

Entry is $10 for adults and $2 for children. Cash needed (no ATM available).

Early morning showers should clear by mid-morning over Banks Peninsula with clouds keeping temperatures to a high of just 17C.

Nearby, 47 people from 19 countries are due at a citizenship ceremony at Wairewa Marae in Little River, conducted by Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

In Christchurch, a Kai & Ko¯ rero at the Centre of Contemporary Art celebrates young members of the arts communities while I Love New Brighton family fun day at Thomson Park will feature live music, food stalls and children’s activities.

Free events will be held at Kaiapoi’s Trousselot Park and Darfield Domain.

Timaru’s Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre will open its doors with a renewed focus on local history, navigation and Ma¯ ori games.

A free community and magic day was planned in the West Coast’s Grey District.

Further south, an event at Te Rau Aroha Marae, in Awarua, Bluff, will pay tribute to the Nga¯ i Tahu soldiers of World War I before an address from Ta¯ Tipene O’Regan.

Blue skies were forecast for Nelson’s seventh annual Waitangi Day International Kai Festival at Founders Heritage Park, where there celebrations will include kapa haka performances and more than 40 traditional food stalls.

Nelson’s Whakatu Marae would also host a powhiri at 11am.