Waitangi Day celebrations in Hamilton

Hamiltonians are invited to attend an hour-long civic ceremony in Civic Square, Garden Place to mark Waitangi Day. The ceremony begins at 7am on Saturday 6 February.

The event will begin with a poowhiri. This will be followed by an address from Mayor Julie Hardaker and performances by the Taihohi Manawataki Kapa Haka group.

Guest speakers include Hamiora de Thierry, health promoter and educator at the Te Ahurei Rangatahi trust, and Radiya Ali, youth leader of the Woman’s Organisation of the Waikato Muslim Association.


Photo courtesy of Hamilton City Council

“Waitangi Day is a significant day for New Zealanders. This is the fourth year we have held this public event and everyone is invited to come along to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is New Zealand’s founding document," says Mayor Julie Hardaker.

“Both the guest speakers are youth leaders, showing the importance of this day for both past and future generations."

Following the civic ceremony, Waikato Museum will host a free day of celebrations to mark Waitangi Day.  From 10 am to 5pm there will be performances both inside and outside the Museum, including poetry interpreting what Waitangi Day means to the Hamilton community.