The energy at Rotowhio marae ātea was something special, as tamariki swung poi, played tītī tōrea, watched cultural performances and heard wānanga about Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The event at Te Puia | New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) saw over 2,500 people attend, including locals and a large number of visitors from Auckland, Tauranga, Napier and Hamilton.

Local attendee Harriet Wright (14 years-old) came along with her mum, dad and little brother saying she enjoyed the train ride past Pōhutu Geyser, seeing the skill of the NZMACI carvers and weavers and shopping at the taonga market stalls.

“It’s been super cool, the whole vibe is really uplifting, everyone is welcoming and it’s cool seeing locals and people from around the world here.

“We went on the train to look at the geysers and it was almost other-worldly in the geothermal valley. We went and saw the NZMACI carvers and their toi – their artwork, it was super cool seeing them in their natural element, the artists are really good at what they’re doing.

“Waitangi Day to me is about unity. It’s about our country as a whole honouring an important part of our history and reflecting on how our country is honouring Te Tiriti. It’s about learning, I think everyone should learn something today about Te Tiriti and the history around it,” Wright said.

Te Puia General Manager Visitor Experience Denise Emery said it’s a whānau vibe with lots of fun on a beautiful day and the kai marketplace and stallholder taonga market was humming.

“What’s unique to us here on Waitangi Day is that we were set up under the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Vesting Act, to ensure our culture, arts and crafts are perpetuated for future generations – today represents that. We have NZMACI carvers and weavers here letting the tamariki see what we’ve been able to deliver for the last 60 years.

“We’ve also got Tohunga Te Waata Cribb taking Te Tiriti o Waitangi Wānanga, his kōrero has a packed house. It’s also great to see international visitors coming in too to learn about Waitangi Day.”

New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Acting General Manager Ranginui Rikirangi-Thomas said for Te Puia | NZMACI it is important to educate people about such a pivotal day in Aotearoa history.

“It’s about bringing people together. It’s not just a public holiday, it’s an opportunity to educate New Zealander’s and manuhiri (visitors) from all over the world. It’s an action-packed day here with a lot of activities for all to enjoy.”

The day included riding on the trains for a Pōhutu Geyser loop ride, bouncy castles, face painting, a taonga market, cultural performances, a kai marketplace and New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute artists showcasing their craft and more.

The organisation operates under the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Vesting Act 2020 – which includes a function to encourage, foster, and promote ahurea and toi Māori (culture and Māori arts) of New Zealand, which the Waitangi Day event aims to do.

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