Katikati's Te Rā o Waitangi Whānau Festival returns to Haiku Park

Katikati's second annual Te Rā o Waitangi Whānau Festival is set to take place at Haiku Park Reserve on 6 February from 11am to 3pm. The free, whānau-friendly event is open to everyone and aims to commemorate the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840, celebrate Aotearoa, and acknowledge the country's past in a positive and inclusive way.

Three local rangatahi — Manase Uilou (17), Tia-Maraea Brown (18), and Inyamoka Toker (18) — will perform at the event as the Katikati Trio. Brown, who whakapapas to Ngai Te Rangi, Ngāi Tamawhariu, Tauwhaohapū, Te Rereatukahia and Otawhiwhimarae, says Waitangi Day is a time for people to share their thoughts and feelings without feeling pressured.

Toker, who has lived in Namibia, the UK, and now Aotearoa New Zealand, says she greatly admires how open New Zealanders are about their country's history. "Other countries can be very one-sided or do it without much care or interest — I really like how in NZ you all seem so open to letting everyone know about the country's history," she said. Uilou echoed that sentiment, describing Waitangi Day as a beautiful experience and a chance for people to learn more about Māori history and what everyone has been through to reach the present day.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).