Waitangi Day, February 6, 2016.

Ngāi Tahu Treaty Festival at Ōnuku Marae

Ōnuku Rūnanga is hosting the 2016 Ngāi Tahu Treaty Festival at Ōnuku Marae, Akaroa on February 6.

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, Leanne Dalziel. Ministers and Members of Parliament will be among those welcomed to the commemorative day.

Papatipu Rūnanga representative for Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio, Tim Rochford will speak on the importance of freshwater from a Ngāi Tahu perspective; and Papatipu Rūnanga Representative for Arowhenua, Quentin Hix will talk about citizenship, diversity and the Treaty.

Lieutenant Commander Grant Bicknell from the Royal New Zealand Navy and Dame Margaret Bazley Environment Canterbury Chair of Commissioners will also be speaking.

Ōnuku kaumātua George W. Tikao says it is a huge pleasure for the rūnanga to once again host the official Ngāi Tahu Waitangi Day commemorations.

“On behalf of the whānau of Ōnuku Marae, I’d like to say what an honour it is to be able to welcome dignitaries, guests and whānau to our beautiful marae to celebrate as family, a community and a country, the things that make Aotearoa special,” he says.

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.

Each year the Ngāi Tahu Treaty Festival alternates 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.

Please Note
The road to Ōnuku Marae will be closed to the general public from around 8am because of limited parking at the marae and to avoid congestion.

Those travelling to the Waitangi Day celebrations are asked to meet at Akaroa Area Primary School, 141 Rue Jolie, Akaroa, where buses will shuttle them to and from the marae.

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