1 day ago · From the dawn ceremony to the numerous local performances and powerful words, Waitangi Day 2025 was one to remember, but a highlight would have to be the record turn-out of waka.

The world's largest ceremonial waka. Get up close and observe the beautiful detail of this Māori war waka called Ngātokimatawhaorua. Book and visit today.

1 day ago · Waka parade in front of Te Tii marae. (Source: 1News) In one of the greater spectacles of the day, waka were launched this morning following karakia and a mass haka. The waka parade was key to celebrating Māori culture at Waitangi, as the various waka represented ancestral waka that sailed to settle Aotearoa.

23 hours ago · Every year, hundreds of kaihoe (paddlers) from across New Zealand travel to a camp site in Waitangi known as “Tent City” to prepare for a pageant lead by the world’s largest ceremonial waka ...

5 days ago · Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro attended Waitangi Day commemorations at Ōnuku Marae in Akaroa Over a dozen waka were launched for a parade in front of Te Tii marae, including Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei's first in 25 years Yesterday, David Seymour's mic was taken away and protesters turned their backs during his …

Sep 10, 2023 · Ngātokimatawhaorua is the waka taua that sits on the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi. Built for the 1940 centennial commemoration of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the giant war canoe “remains a powerful symbol of Māori identity, strength and pride”.

The ever-popular waka flotilla has drawn a huge crowd of spectators at Waitangi this morning. Over a dozen waka took to the water in a spectacular display, before the kaihoe were welcomed onto the beach by a kaikaranga line.

Waka are woven into annual Waitangi Day commemorations, the main attraction the launching of Ngātokimatawhaorua, which requires at least 80 kaihoe (paddlers). From whakataukī to pepeha to waka ama, waka are a big part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s identity.

A Waitangi Day event held in 1974 at Waitangi, attended by Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Norman Kirk and Prince Phillip. Waitangi Day became a public holiday in 1974.

2 days ago · On Waitangi Day, following the Dawn Karakia at Te Tou Rangatira (the land next to the Te Tii Marae), the flag raising ceremony, and the roll call of tūpuna who signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840, waka ceremonies will begin on Te Tii Beach at 9am, where thousands will gather to watch the kaihoe waka in action.