Radio New Zealand
Auckland, February 6, 2025
Thousands of people gathered for commemorations to celebrate Waitangi Day today (February 6, 2025) throughout New Zealand.
A Dawn Ceremony marked the beginning of Waitangi Day commemorations at Te Whare Rūnanga Marae, while a traditional waka parade took place in front of Te Tii Marae before docking near the lower Treaty Grounds. There were several performances by local groups including kapa haka and reggae, as well as market stalls throughout the Grounds.
Christopher Luxon honoured Ngāi Tahu’s resilience in Akaroa, South Island.
People travelled to Waitangi, where 185 years prior, Māori and Pākehā came together to sign Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Chairman of Ngā waka o Te Tai Tokerau Robert Gabel believed that this year’s turnout of 24 waka at Waitangi equalled the record previously set in 1990. He said that this year’s fleet featured many new waka, a lot of smaller waka and many built by the late Sir Hekenukumai Busby.
He said that crews came from every corner of the motu, including Tauranga, Tainui and Te Arawa.
Ngāti Whātua brought Te Kawau, which was built just a year ago and paddled in Barcelona as part of the America’s Cup festivities.
Mr Gabel said that the 1000-plus Kaihoe (paddlers) who stayed at Tent City – the week-long waka training camp at Bledisloe Domain, near Paihia – was easily a record.
The long-time waka exponent said that many factors contributed to this year’s record participation.
They included a growing sense of unity among Māori during the past year, and people wanting to show their support for the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Kaupapa waka changing lives
Dutch paddler Koos Wabeke travelled 32 hours around the world to take part in the Waitangi Day commemorations. He said that getting involved with Kaupapa Waka and learning about the Māori world had changed his life.
“It is such a magical feeling to be here, to support the Kaupapa, to support practices that have been done for thousands of years by the Māori. Everyone is practising and the whole camp is buzzing with energy. I have not found that feeling anywhere else in the world,” he said.
Mr Wabeke said that the friendships that he had formed over the past 15 years encouraged his return.
“It is an insane thing to wrap your head around, but you may have family on the other side of the world. You travel 32 hours and you are welcomed like you just came home, like you have walked in your mother’s front door. That is the embrace you feel here,” he said.
(RNZ Photo by Layla Bailey-McDowell)
The number of waka spectators also swelled, taking up most of the beach, road, bridge and even a nearby jetty. Some even took to the water, sailing small craft like dinghies and inflatable boats.
But before the waka hit the waters at Waitangi, hundreds gathered in the darkness before dawn.
People were wrapped in blankets and sleeping bags standing under the bright floodlights which lit the marae atea of Te Whare Rūnanga.
Ngāpuhi rangatira Hone Sadler recited a Waerea to clear the path for the dawn to rise, heralding the day. He led a delegation of politicians and officials down the centre of the rows of chairs to the Mahau of Te Whare Rūnanga.
A small group gathered near the shore performing chants and incantations. Then as the sun rose, the once crisp and chilly morning turned hot with the grass drying and sand warming.
Manu moments
The Waitangi Bridge is a famous spot for rangatahi to jump off on Waitangi Day, doing ‘manus.’
A manu, or bomb, is a form of diving with the ultimate goal of creating the largest splash. It is achieved by tucking your legs and torso into the shape of a ‘V’ just before hitting the water. The air trapped in the ‘V’ form splashes straight upward.
The best “Manuers’ have years of practice and employ a mix of technique, speed and weight distribution. Onlookers perched upon the bridge to get a good view, some even got a bit wet from the splash-back.
More than 150 market stalls were set up around the Treaty Grounds, selling food from many different cultures alongside kai Māori favourites, including Hangī, creamed Paua, fry bread, and whitebait fritters.
