Waitangi Day has plenty on
South Canterbury will celebrate Waitangi Day with plenty of opportunities to learn about the Treaty and Ma¯ori culture.
The Te Aitarakihi Trust has been granted $2500 from the Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund to show a re-enactment of the days leading up to the signing of the treaty in 1840, during its free Wha¯nau Fun Day today.
Trust administrator Julie Calder said as well as having other educational material on display, the day will feature mau ra¯kau demonstrations, flax weaving, pony rides, a bouncy castle, and Cook Island dancing ‘‘with a bit of a Ma¯ori twist’’.
‘‘Ideally, we would like people to come away with more knowledge than they came in with,’’ Calder said.
‘‘We’re definitely excited and hope a couple of hundred people can make it.’’
Calder said her aim was for the education part of the Wha¯nau Fun Day to be even bigger next year with more planning, as this time around they only found out their application for funding was
successful in mid-December.
Meanwhile, the Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre is opening its doors to the public for a gold coin donation to commemorate the occasion.
Centre team leader Rachel Solomon said while in previous years the centre hosted puppet shows, musicals, a hangi and guided tours, this year it was decided to keep it simple as they geared up for the cruise ship berthing tomorrow.
Those heading to the centre from cruise ship Silver Muse will be treated to a morning or afternoon site tour, with a few walking tours also available.
‘‘It will be a relatively full-on day but very enjoyable. You get to meet a lot of people from different places, which is great.’’
Solomon said guide Wes
Home would be on hand on Waitangi Day to answer any questions from people visiting the centre.
‘‘It’s an opportunity for local people to come and have a look and check out what the museum is all about,’’ she said.
‘‘People are surprised to learn there are 362 Māori rock art sites in South Canterbury.’’
The centre also gives people the opportunity to touch moa bones and learn about Ngāi Tahu culture, artists, archaeologists, colonisation, and more.
Wha¯nau Fun Day will be held 10.30am-2pm at the Te Aitarakihi Multicultural Centre on Bridge St, while the Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre will be open 10am-3pm.