Find out about Christchurch and Canterbury Waitangi Day celebrations in 2016.
6 February 2014. Rāpaki Marae citizenship ceremony. Flickr: 2014-02-06-Citizenship6Feb2014PR-0082. Photo supplied by Christchurch City Council.
Library hours
All Christchurch City Libraries branches will be closed on Saturday 6 February. Some libraries will be open on Monday 8 February.
Saturday 6 February - closed
Sunday 7 February - open normal hours
Monday 8 February - Waitangi Day observed. Fendalton, Te Hāpua: Halswell, Shirley, South, and library phone service will be open from 10am to 4pm (all other libraries are closed).
Ngāi Tahu Treaty Festival Ōnuku Marae
In 2016, the Ngāi Tahu Treaty Festival will be held at the Ōnuku Marae in Akaroa on Saturday 6 February.
Information from Ngāi Tahu: Discussion of freshwater issues, citizenship, diversity and the Treaty will be highlights of this year’s Waitangi Day commemoration festivities. A special New Zealand Citizenship ceremony will also take place on the day, presided over by Christchurch Mayor, Lianne Dalziel.
The public are invited to attend the Ōnuku event. Festivities will start at 9am with a traditional pōwhiri for manuhiri (guests), followed by refreshments before beginning the programme of keynote speakers. Invited guests will then be asked to take their place for a seated luncheon in the marae wharekai (dining room); and members of the public will have the choice of a hāngī lunch or seafood paella in the marquee at the top of the marae.
The day will include a few market stalls, and coffee and seafood vans and people are encouraged to come along and join in a relaxed fun day.
Every year Ngāi Tahu commemorates Waitangi Day at one of three locations where the iwi signed the Treaty – Awarua, Ōtākou and Ōnuku.
Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum 1146 Main Road, Okains Bay
Join the 41st commemoration at the Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum. Highlights include a powhiri (traditional welcome), hangi lunch, children’s races, spot prizes and the paddling of waka on the Opara Stream at 4pm. View the Museum’s collections and enjoy continuous demonstrations all day include blacksmithing, bread baking in a traditional clay oven, black powder shooting, early printing works, sheep shearing, crafts, stalls and more! Adults $10, Children $2. Please bring cash. No ATM available. Gates open at 10am. Powhiri (traditional welcome) commences at 10:30am.
Kaiapoi Waitangi Day Family Celebrations Troussellot Park, Kaiapoi
A family fun day to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi with entertainment, kapa haka, food, hangi, music and mock signing of the treaty.
Summer of Fun - Waitangi Day Community Country Picnic Darfield
I love New Brighton Thomson Park, Marine Parade, New Brighton (Monday 8 Feb)
I Love New Brighton is an annual event held at Thomson Park for the local greater Brighton area offering music, games, sports, and a market.
Waitangi Day coverage
Online Live Video Stream of Waitangi commemorations
Te Hiku Media of Kaitaia provides online live video stream of proceedings from Waitangi. The stream is available on most mobile devices and computers worldwide at waitangi.tv or by visiting tehiku.nz. Video announcing is in both Māori and English.
Māori Televison
Read Waitangi related information on Māori TV website.
More events on Waitangi Day
- More Canterbury Waitangi weekend events listed in Eventfinda.
- Events on 6 February 2016 listed on BeThere
Find out more
- The Treaty of Waitangi
- The Treaty for kids
- Waitangi Day 2015 A DigitalNZ set of images and resources.
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