Event celebrating Waitangi Day

Ka¯ piti will commemorate Waitangi Day with a vibrant and diverse community event at Campbell Park, Paeka¯ ka¯ riki delivered through a partnership between Nga¯ ti Haumia ki Paeka¯ ka¯ riki, Te Whakamimenga o¯ Ka¯ piti and Ka¯ piti Coast District Council.

Waitangi Day, on February 6, honours the signing of New Zealand’s founding document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, in 1840 and is commemorated locally each year in partnership with ta¯ ngata whenua.

The all-day event begins with a po¯ whiri at 10am followed by kids’ activities, stalls, food and live music until 4pm.

Chairman of Te Whakamimenga o¯ Ka¯ piti Rupene Waaka said the event will highlight people and place.

“The theme for this year’s commemoration, developed by

Nga¯ ti Haumia ki Paeka¯ ka¯ riki and the Paeka¯ ka¯ riki Community Board is Te Taiao (the environment) and Kotahitanga (unity).

“Waitangi Day is a special day to come together to celebrate the amazing place we all live in and to commemorate our shared history.”

Deputy mayor Janet Holborow said the event will be a celebration of the diversity of our community.

“Nga¯ ti Haumia and the Paeka¯ ka¯ riki Community Board have been working alongside council to ensure this event is an inclusive and fun day for the whole whanau to enjoy.

“It will also be a Zero Waste event. We have a line-up of 31 musicians, a special exhibition inside the memorial hall that explores local history and kids’ activities including a giant waterslide.

“Waitangi Day is an important time to think about who we are and where we are, and provides an opportunity to come together as a community. Everyone is welcome so bring a picnic, a hat and sunscreen and make a day of it.”

Vendors wanting to sell food, arts or crafts can book a stall by contacting margaret. sweetman@kapiticoast.govt.nz