News | 4 February 2021
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Friday Five: Fun things to do this Waitangi weekend

There’s heaps of events going on in Wellington to mark Waitangi Day and to keep us entertained this long weekend. Here's our top five picks.

A person with a guitar signing into a microphone on stage in front of a crowd with the Māori flag waving in the background.

1. Waitangi Whānau Film Night 2021

Waitangi Park, 107 Cable St

Friday 5 February, 6-9pm

Grab your rugs and cushions, pack a whānau picnic dinner and join us at Waitangi Park on the evening before Waitangi Day. Māoriland Film Festival will be presenting a programme of short films followed by New Zealand favourite, Poi E. Find out more here.

  

2. What if the City was a Theatre?  Opening Event

Whairepo Lagoon 

Friday 5 February, 8pm 

Don’t miss this free opening event to kick off two months of free arts and performance in Wellington. Over 30 dancers from across New Zealand will be joined by Wellington Opera and the premier of a brand new artwork designed for the Carter Fountain by Sam Trubridge. More information about the event is here. 

 

3. TeRā o Waitangi 2021

Waitangi Park, 107 Cable St

Saturday 6 February, 10am-7.30pm

TeRā o Waitangi 2021 is all about coming together to commemorate Aotearoa's national day. Bring your friends and whānau along to Te Wharewaka at 10am and then to Waitangi Park from noon onwards to enjoy toi, kai, and waiata through to the early evening. See here to find out more.

 

4. Nan and Tuna — a bilingual puppet show

He Matapihi Library, ground floor of the National Library, 70 Molesworth Street 

Saturday 6 February, 10.30am

The library will be the only branch library open on Waitangi Day from 9.30am to 4.30pm for browsing, and to host a bilingual puppet show about eels, rivers, and friendship by Stringbean Puppets at 10.30am.
The National Library, which houses the Treaty of Waitangi, is also running 30-minute guided tours exploring the multi-award winning He Tohu exhibition. Join a tour every half hour during opening hours. Find out more on the Wellington City Libraries Blog.

A woman holding a puppet in front of a model tree stump with a face.

5. Chinese New Year —Zodiac Art Trail Guided Walk

Wellington City Council Shed, corner Barnett and Cable streets

Sunday 7 February, 1-3pm

The Chinese New Year Zodiac Art Trail seeks to map out the signs and animals of the Chinese zodiac through 12 original artworks by local Wellington and internationally-based artists in a walkable trail through Wellington’s CBD and waterfront. See here to find out more.

Watch out each Friday for a fun list of five great activities to do, places to explore, or things to discover in our great city.

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