New Zealanders up and down the country celebrated Waitangi Day the classic Kiwi way with good food and music.
Tens of thousands of people attended a Waitangi Day festival at Hoani Waititi Marae in West Auckland to hear the likes of Che Fu and Katchafire perform.
Thousands also flocked to Manukau’s Hayman Park for a family day out with performances, food and a tutorial on Te Tiriti o Waitangi that was presented by Tainui.
“Most New Zealanders think it's a Maori day – Waitangi Day, but Waitangi Day is for everybody. Waitangi Day is commemorating a time when our people, all our ancestors got together and signed an agreement that said this is how we’re going to live together and I think that’s where we have to reconnect again,” says Manukau Urban Maori Authority Cultural Manager, Bernie O’Donnell.
In Wellington a waka salute kicked off the day’s festivities with celebrations being held at Waitangi Park.
While in Christchurch, Cantabrians feasted on cream paua and fried bread for a festival in Victoria Square.
