Waitangi Day in Christchurch and Canterbury 2025
Find out about Waitangi Day activities in Ōtautahi Christchurch and Canterbury.
Library hours
All libraries are closed on Waitangi Day Thursday 6 February.
There will be a catalogue and eResources outage on Waitangi Day from 9am to 5pm.
About Waitangi Day
- Waitangi Day from our Treaty backgrounder
- Waitangi Day from our Treaty Zone resource for kids
What's on
Waitangi Day commemoration - 10am to 3pm, Ōnuku Marae, Akaroa
Each year the Ngāi Tahu Waitangi Day commemorations rotate between the three locations where Ngāi Tahu signed the Treaty: Te Rau Aroha Marae, at Awarua (Bluff); Ōtākou Marae, near Dunedin, and Ōnuku Marae on Banks Peninsula. The 2025 celebrations are at Ōnuku Marae, Akaroa
Waitangi Day 2025 Family fun day - 9am to 4pm, Okains Bay Māori and Colonial Museum
Nau mai, haere mai! Okains Bay Museum invites you to join us this Waitangi Day for a Family Fun Day! Gates open at 9am. This is a free community event sponsored by Christchurch City Council. There will be interactive displays, whānau-friendly games and activities, Banks Peninsula food and beverages, pizza from the colonial oven, live music from Lindon Puffin, children's entertainment from Natural Magic, and demonstrations throughout the day including flax weaving, taonga puoro, horseshoe making, printshop activities, stationary engines and more!
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu
On Wednesday 5 February, there is a talk Being in relationship - Te Tiriti in 2025 from 6pm to 8pm in the Philip Carter Family Auditorium.
Visit on Waitangi Day and browse the exhibitions. You can drop-in and explore their selection of Te Tiriti o Waitangi related reading material.
Waitangi Day at the Pop-Up Museum - 10am to 4pm, Canterbury Museum Pop-Up, 66 Gloucester Street
Come and celebrate Waitangi Day at the Museum Pop-Up with activities for the whole whānau (family). Experience the brightly coloured ‘Wharenui Harikoa’ – a full size wharenui crocheted in neon wool – and make your own mini version to take home. Learn how the joyful artwork was created and hear the stories woven into the walls.
Kaiapoi Waitangi Day Family celebration - 11am to 3pm, Troussellot Park
Nau mai, haere mai! Come and celebrate Waitangi Day in Kaiapoi with waiata, Kapa Haka, speeches, performances, kai from a variety of food trucks, market stalls and kids' activities. This year Network Waitangi Ōtautahi will be at the event to help answer your Treaty/Te Tiriti questions and have a chat about how important it is for all New Zealanders.
This is a free* family friendly event (please note kids' activities cost - buy an wristband for $10 and enjoy all the activities all day). Bring your picnic blanket, chair and whānau and celebrate this special day in Kaiapoi.
Waitangi Day coverage
RNZ National
Waitangi Day coverage on RNZ National with Mihingarangi Forbes and Julian Wilcox from 6-10am live from Waitangi, and Susana Lei'ataua presenting from 10am-midday. RNZ National will also broadcast the Dawn Service from 5am.
Māori TV
Waitangi 2025 Ka Hao te Rangatahi. The official broadcast of Waitangi Day commemorations from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. In 2025, a particular focus will be on the thoughts and aspirations of young New Zealanders. Available worldwide. Stream from Thursday 6th February, 5am.
The Spinoff
Treaty of Waitangi
Treaty of Waitangi for kids
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Treaty of Waitangi
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The BWB Treaty of Waitangi Collection
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - Treaty of Waitangi Resources
Waitangi Day in Christchurch and Canterbury
The Treaty of Waitangi Collection - Bridget Williams Books
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The BWB Treaty of Waitangi Collection
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - Treaty of Waitangi Resources
Waitangi Day in Christchurch and Canterbury
The Treaty of Waitangi Collection - Bridget Williams Books
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The BWB Treaty of Waitangi Collection
Treaty of Waitangi
Waitangi Day images
View Waitangi Day images from our collection:
