Be a part of history this Waitangi Day

From City Scene, published on 3 February, 2008

Be a part of history: Waitangi Day '08 is a free family event to be held at Okahu Bay - a historic site where Ngati Whatua o Orakei were based.

Local iwi Ngati Whatua o Orakei and Auckland City Council will together host a free celebration of Waitangi Day at Okahu Bay on Wednesday, 6 February.

Waitangi Day '08 is a free family event to be held at Okahu Bay - a historic site where Ngati Whatua o Orakei were based. In 1840, the iwi gifted Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson the land that now makes up Auckland's CBD, thereby establishing the city. The celebrations will begin with an official party arriving via sailing ships, provided by the Auckland Maritime Museum, and welcomed by Ngati Whatua in the same way as Hobson was 167 years ago.

The founding of Auckland began with Hobson's first visit to the area in February 1840. Paramount chief of Ngati Whatua, Apihai Te Kawau saw the British government's presence in Auckland as facilitating his tribe's economic development. Shortly after Te Kawau signed the Manukau-Kawhia copy of the Treaty of Waitangi in March, he organised a delegation that offered Hobson the rights to use the land that is now the central part of our city.

Councillor Greg Moyle, chairperson of Auckland City Council's Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee, says this is the first time in history that local iwi Ngati Whatua o Orakei and the Auckland City Council have partnered to host a free official Waitangi Day celebration.

"This festival will be an opportunity for Aucklanders to be a part of history, celebrating Waitangi Day in a way that is unique to our city and that honours the partnerships that Auckland was founded on," says Mr Moyle.

Event organiser Renata Blair says Waitangi Day '08 offers Aucklanders the chance to come together and use this public holiday to commemorate the Treaty of Waitangi.

"The event recognises that Waitangi Day is not just another day, but the anniversary of the signing of a document upon which our nation was built," says Mr Blair.

Be down at Okahu Bay from 8.45am to witness this historic event.

Family fun day out

Cornerstone Roots, Ardijah, Ben Lummis and House of Shem are some of the artists performing at Waitangi Day '08. Following the official welcome, the free family event will kick off with food and craft stalls, the Flava FM 96.1 Kids' Stage and live entertainment at Okahu Bay Reserve from 10am. A waka-themed playground, children's rides and farm animals will add to the whanau focus of the festival. To find out more phone 379 2020 or visit the website.

Volunteers ready to support festival's zero waste goal

Waitangi Day '08 is a zero-waste event - a first for an event of this size in Auckland city. Festival organisers will implement a zero-waste policy on the day to reduce the amount of waste disposed in landfill.

More than 60 volunteers will stay on the marae the night before the festival, then help to reduce the environmental impact of waste by educating the public, separating waste and changing bins at the event. Members of the public are encouraged to do their part for the environment by adopting a "pack in, pack out" attitude and taking their waste home with them. Events organiser Ngarimu Blair says, "As tangata whenua it is our duty and responsibility to limit as much as possible our impact on the land and sea. It will be a huge challenge for us to reduce waste at an event of this size, but we are committed to protecting our environment for future generations."

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority is also supporting this initiative, offering those who travel to the event by bus a chance to win prizes. Visit www.maxx.co.nz for more information and bus timetables.