Waitangi Day

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Kāi Tahu Papatipu Rūnaka e Whitu are hosting the Waitangi Day commemoration in Tāhuna Queenstown Recreation Grounds on 6 February 2025 and extend a warm invitation to all. 

Queenstown Lakes residents are invited to join Kāi Tahu and QLDC as ‘hau kāinga’ (home people) and welcome our manuhiri (visitors) from outside of the district.

This year we tautoko (support) the theme of unity and partnership between Te Tiriti o Waitangi partners, focusing on collaborative stewardship initiatives such as Project Tohu (indigenous reforestation on Coronet Peak Mauka) and WaiWhakaata Lake Hayes Catchment Programme, alongside other high level strategic work such as the Grow Well – Whaiora Spatial Plan. These efforts, developed through partnerships with mana whenua, councils and community groups, showcase our shared commitment to the wellbeing of our taiao (natural environment).

Join us for a day of reflection, unity and inspiration, honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

This event is kindly supported by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Community Trust South, Otago Regional Council and other Southland and Otago councils.

The official ceremony will be led by Kāi Tahu, joined by Mayor Glyn Lewers, commemorating the Treaty’s 185-year legacy.

• 9.45am – 10.45am: Pōwhiri

• 10.45am – 12.30pm: Kapa haka and onstage performances by:

  • Queenstown Primary Kapa Haka 
  • Arrowtown Kapa Haka 
  • Shotover Primary Kapa Haka 
  • Central Otago Living Options
  • Ngā Manu Hou
  • QAMPI kids
    
    

• 12.30pm – 2.00pm: Panel discussion with:

  • Hana O'Reagan New Zealand Order of Merit
  • Professor Janine Hayward, Otago University 
  • Edward Ellison New Zealand Order of Merit, Ōtākou Rūnaka 

   

Following the formalities, we welcome the community to enjoy kai through our wonderful local food trucks or a picnic brought from home. There will be kapa haka and music performances along with community stalls hosted by:

• Down South Whakairo - Māori Arts and Crafts

• Kahu Youth Trust with games and resource info

• Te Tapu o Tāne - Integrated Solutions for Regenerative Landscapes

• QLDC Libraries with Welcoming Communities

• Uruuruwhenua Health Inc. with rongoā practitioners

Bring your:

• family and friends

• picnic basket or enjoy kai from our wonderful local food trucks

• picnic blanket or chair to sit on, your sunhat and sun block

We kindly request no pets at the event except for guide dogs.

Please note this is an alcohol-free event.

All Queenstown Orbus bus services will be free from 8.00am to 6.00pm (this includes the Arrowtown service). See bus timetables here.

Driving in? See the QLDC parking webpage for options or check out the parking map below.

Note that there is a temporary carpark on Queenstown’s Stanley Street providing approximately 54 spaces for use until after Waitangi weekend in 2025 at $3.10 per hour. 

Mana Tāhuna are hosting ‘Waitangi Day in the Gardens’ in Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens from 1.00pm – 5.00pm. All are welcome to come along and enjoy live music, games for tamariki and great kai from local food vendors.

For more information please head to:

www.facebook.com/ManaTahuna

www.instagram.com/manatahuna

Wānaka Library are hosting an event to commemorate the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) and Aotearoa New Zealand’s national day:

Te Tiriti & Us: mōu, mōku mo tātou katoa for me, for you, for all of us. 

Āhea | When - Thursday 30 January | 5.30pm - 6.30pm

Ki hea | Where - Wānaka Library

Te utu | Cost -  Free

This is an awesome opportunity to learn, ask questions and have an open conversation about Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a safe and inclusive space.

More details can be found on our website: Te Tiriti & Us (The Treaty of Waitangi & Us)