Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, 1 February 2023
Waitangi Day is recognised as New Zealand’s national day and is the most important marker in the country’s history.
Waikato Museum will host a free event on Monday, 6 February from 1 pm to 5 pm with live music, kapa haka, and film screenings on Waitangi Day to mark the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato is a proudly bicultural organisation, committed to honouring our shared history as we continue to learn about what this means for us as a museum,” said Liz Cotton, Director of Museum and Arts, Waikato Museum.
She said, “We strive to meet our responsibilities of partnership under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and provide kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga for our collections, our people, and our communities. Waitangi Day provides another opportunity for us to continue engaging in these important conversations. Ngaa mihi nui to Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage who through their generous sponsorship have enabled our communities to attend this festival for free.”
Waikato Museum has the day planned for all
The festival begins at 1 pm with a performance on the Museum forecourt by Te Waiora o Waikato, a kapa haka group affiliated with the University of Waikato.
A line-up of local musicians will play live music on the outdoor stage throughout the afternoon. Inside the Museum, the renowned weaving group Te Roopu Aroha Ki Te Raranga will demonstrate traditional techniques to transform flax into woven creations.
A fully booked guided tour on the New Zealand Land Wars, led by Brad Totorewa (Waikato), Chairperson of Te Runanga Ngāti Naho, will explore significant items from the Museum’s collection.
With an extensive career in education and the revitalisation of Te Reo Maori, Mr Totorewa is the mastermind behind the rebuilding of the Rangiriri earthwork trenches, the site of the bloodiest battle of the Land Wars.
Rounding out the festival’s attractions, free film screenings will be held in the Museum’s lecture theatre, in partnership with the New Zealand Film Commission.
The movie ‘Poi-E: The Story Of Our Song’ will screen at 1.30 pm, telling the story of the first Te Reo Maaori song to hit the top of the charts. This will be followed at 3.30 pm by the movie Whina, the award-winning biopic starring Rena Owen as political activist Dame Whina Cooper.
Attendance is free for both screenings but as spaces are limited it is recommended that you book online.
Visitors can immerse themselves in Te Ao Maori (the Maori worldview) by exploring the Museum’s permanent displays. These include the majestic Te Winika, a 200-year-old carved waka taua (war canoe), and exhibitions such as Katohia He Wai Moou, Katohia He Wai Mooku, which brings together the powerful sculptures of world-renowned Tainui artist Fred Graham.
Waitangi Day will also be commemorated across other venues in Hamilton. Throughout the long weekend, Hamilton Gardens is offering free guided tours of Te Parapara, New Zealand’s only traditional Maori productive garden, which can be booked on the Hamilton Gardens website. Hamilton Zoo will celebrate Waitangi Day with live music throughout the day on Monday 6 February (standard admission fees apply).
Waikato Museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm including on Waitangi Day. These events are supported by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
Waitangi Day Schedule
Weaving demonstrations with Te Roopu Aroha Ki Te Raranga – 1 pm to 4.30 pm
Live music on the Museum forecourt – 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm
Performance by Te Waiora Kapa Haka – 1pm
Film screening Poi E: The Story Of Our Song – 1.30 pm (Limited spaces, Booking required)
Guided museum tour about the New Zealand Land Wars – 2 pm (Limited spaces, Booking required)
Film screening Whina – 3.30 pm (Limited spaces, Booking required)
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink correspondent based in Hamilton.
