Nau mai, haere mai! Te Rā o Waitangi is a free, whānau-friendly event, to commemorate the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) and Aotearoa New Zealand’s national day. It's about coming together to celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand and acknowledging our treaty obligations and partnerships. The day was celebrated by thousands, who enjoyed a wide range of stalls, activities, performances, wānanga and kai.
Te Rā o Waitangi 2025 acknowledged tūrangawaewae and whakapapa for all - where is the place you lay down your roots? Where is your family from? This year, Wellington City Council used our national day to celebrate the things that we all share, and the things about us that are different.
The artwork that was commissioned and painted live by Keri-Mei Zagrobelna (Te Āti Awa/Whānau-ā-Apanui) and Tina Rae Carter (Scottish, Celtic, Nordic, Anglo-Saxon, NZ European) at Te Ra o Waitangi 2024 returned to Waitangi Park. It decorated the stage and emphasised the theme of this year’s event.
Alongside Te Rā o Waitangi, this year a series of grassroots-style panel kōrero were held across Pōneke called ‘Te Tiriti and Me’. Local personalities Jamie McCaskill, Tanea Heke, Sameena Zehra and Dave Armstrong spoke honestly about what Te Tiriti means to them as New Zealanders from a range of different backgrounds and cultures. Discourse and kai were shared at four different discussions, fostering connections and exploring personal perspectives on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The 2025 Te Rā o Waitangi event (presented by Wellington City Council) was made possible by many, and we acknowledge our Tākai Here partners: Te Rūnanga O Toa Rangatira, Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o te Ika and Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa ki te Upoko o Te Ika a Māui.
For details about Te Rā o Waitangi 2026, check this page again early next year.