Waitangi Day in Porirua

- Download the Waitangi Day Programme here -

Porirua City Council are once again partnering with mana whenua Ngāti Toa to deliver a fun-filled event, one of the largest to take place in New Zealand on our national day.

Treaty of Waitangi korero will take place and Pātaka will have creation stations, amongst other attractions.

The event will be alcohol-free, smoke/vape-free and there will be no dogs allowed.

“The food, the entertainment, families out enjoying themselves – it’s a day to enjoy with people and one where we can celebrate culture, heritage and history.” – Porirua Mayor Anita Baker

The headliners on the main stage on Te Rauparaha Park will be The O’Neill Twins and Modern Maori Quartet. 

On the main stage you’ll hear Te Puna Reo o Ngāti Toa, Te Kura Māori, Ngā Taonga Mai Tawhiti, Inano Dance, Taeyah Marshall, The Company NZ, The Mitis, Wayno, Grand Central Quartet, The O’Neill Twins, The Modern Māori Quartet, Sianne, Bailee Tava Maaka and Lady Soul! 

There will a large kids’ area inside the Arena, which will include traditional games hosted by Ngāti Toa. Capital E will be back once more, with plenty of options for enthusiastic children. The area also features Awesome Bounce, face-painting and an indoor chill-out zone. Arepa Games and an Augmented Reality set-up are likely to prove popular with older kids. 

Free waka tours are on once more, with a clearly signposted walkway to the harbour or free shuttle trips down to the water, so you can pick up a paddle and get out on Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour. Trips will also be offered on the water by the Wooden Boat Association.

Hop aboard for an awesome experience on a waka. Health & safety conditions apply. Waka tours go for about 10-15 minutes with a waka tour shuttle drop-off and pick-up outside Arena Aquatics.

The walking route to the waka tours takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

There will be 27 food vendors lining Norrie St, with delicious options to satisfy your puku. The vendors have a zero waste kaupapa so visitors are encouraged to bring their own reusable coffee cups and food containers.

Parking will be available on surrounding streets such as Wi Neera Dr or you can leave your car at the railway station and take the short walk to Te Rauparaha Park.

There will be 30 accessible carparks available on a first come first serve basis, located in the Te Rauparaha Arena car park.

There will be road closures on Norrie St, Lyttelton Ave from Titahi Bay Rd to Lyttelton Ave roundable, and Hagley St from Lyttelton Ave to the Cobham Court car park.

There are limited car parks at the Arena and on Wi Neera Dr - why not catch the train or park at the train station and walk over?

It’s best to bring cash on the day as not all vendors will have eftpos available, although there are nearby ATMs on Lyttelton Ave if you wish to top up.

There is a zero waste kaupapa, so we'd love it if visitors could bring their own water bottles, reusable coffee cups and food containers. There is a Wash against Waste station used by some of the food trucks, and several zero waste stations inside the Arena and out on Te Rauparaha Park.