Te Ra o Waitangi 2021

Overview

Wellington City Council has you sorted this Waitangi Day, with two free whānau-friendly events in commemoration of Aotearoa's national day.

Pack a picnic dinner for the Whānau Film Night on Friday, 5 February. Māoriland Film Festival will present a selection of short films, followed by the iconic Poi E, from 6pm in the Waitangi Park. Māoriland is the largest indigenous film festival in the southern hemisphere with a year-round program of events.

Free annual event Te Rā o Waitangi also returns for 2021. From noon to 7.30pm on Saturday, 6 February, Waitangi Park will host an award-winning lineup of Māori performers, food and culture. A delicious hāngi will be available from midday, but you'll need to be quick — there are only 500 servings.

You can also dig into a cafe version of the classic Karaka Café hāngi — available at the café from 10.30am to midday. The full program is set to be revealed soon. Previous years have seen weaving demonstrations, waka rides and massages.

Image: Mikel Taylor.