Celebrating Waitangi Day in Aotearoa 

Friends, family gather across the country on Wednesday, combined with good food and music in celebration of Waitangi Day.

Here is a snapshot of some of the events attended nation-wide:

Auckland

Local iwi in Auckland hosted the city's first free Waitangi Day celebration at Okahu Bay.

A year after the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed, Governor William Hobson landed in Okahu Bay welcomed by 1,000 Ngati Whatua.

Thousands gathered on the shore on Wednesday morning, reliving the historic moment, the trade ships of the past flanked by modern giants.

Meanwhile, about 30,000 gathered in Manukau where picnics and treats were the flavour of the day, children with painted faces showing their true colours.

At Western Springs it was Groove in the park, a Waitangi Day music festival featuring Supergroove, Nathan Haines' Open Souls, Once Were DJs and Tama Waipara.

Wellington

In the capital, one of the major Waitangi Day events celebrated reggae singer Bob Marley's birthday and pushed a message of peace and harmony.
 
Over 15,000 concert-goers spent the day in the sun at Hataitai Velodrome at the annual One Love show.

And highlighting true Wellington unity were superband The Yoots, made up of members from Fat Freddys Drop, The Black Seeds and Phoenix Foundation.
 
Organisers say the event was started a decade ago as an alternative to acrimony.

Christchurch

Waitangi Day in the south came with a bit of a twist.
 
For the first time the small township of Kaiapoi, north of Christchurch hosted festivities.
 
And their challenge was to set a new world record for the largest haka.

Dunedin

The possibilities for Maori tourism in Otago were the focus of the day at Waitangi celebrations south of Dunedin.

More than 200 people gathered at the Otakou Marae to commemorate the signing of the Treaty.

The Dunedin City Council presented a discussion on the opportunities for Maori to grow both culturally and economically.

The overall message was that as New Zealand commemorates our heritage it is important that both Maori and non-Maori look at how we can prosper together in the future.

Rotorua

In Rotorua, Waitangi Day is marked with the opening of a commemoration walkway at Whakarewarewa thermal village.

The walkway pays tribute to some of the famous Whakarewarewa guides that have led people through the area since the early 1800s.

Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick was at the event and said she was delighted to be able to celebrate Waitangi Day at home in Rotorua

"It's very significant that we're holding our own unique event to mark the agreement reached with tangata whenua in the 1840s," she said.

See related videos for all the colour of Waitangi Day celebrations around the country.

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