Mana Tāhuna are once again taking over part of Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens tomorrow afternoon to mark Te Rā o Waitangi (Waitangi Day).
The charitable trust’s tumu whakarae (chief executive) Mike Rewi (Kai Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Kahungunu) says their team’s excited to celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand’s national day with Tāhuna whanau for the second year.
A mihi whakatau will kick things off at noon, with plenty of entertainment planned throughout the day.
Rewi says this year’s musical line-up comprises a collective led by Ned Wepiha (Ngāpuhi), Mana Tāhuna’s kaiarahi tikanga Māori (cultural adviser), duo Hō & Hā, from Invercargill, local Peti Seiuli and a kapa haka group.
There’s also ‘‘a whole bunch of entertainment’’ for tamariki, including face-painting and games, while kai this year’s being provided by Te Puna Ako o Tāhuna (Tāhuna Early Learning Centre) and Queenstown Basketball Club.
Rewi estimates about 3500 people stopped by the Gardens for last year’s event, and he’s hoping to see similar numbers this year — weather dependent.
‘‘The forecast isn’t looking great, if I’m honest.
“It’s [organised] in partnership with QLDC, so they’re providing gazebos and all that stuff, just in case it goes haywire.’’
The free event runs till 6pm.
