Nau mai, haere mai. All welcome!
Explore the art, history, culture, and creativity that shape our region with a full-day programme that brings together whaanau, makers, performers, and storytellers.
Whaanau Activities
Fun for all ages
Enjoy free entry to Exscite, get creative with Waitangi Day crafts, and take part in temporary taa moko for children. Visit the vintage portrait parlour in Marae Aatea to sit for a unique family photo that honours tuupuna.
Tours, Talks, and Workshops
Explore our treasured taonga
Join a guided tour to explore some of the treasured taonga cared for by the Museum. You can also take a public art walk along the Waikato awa with Te Ahurei Maaori Tourism, or learn more about Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a workshop delivered in collaboration with Hamilton City Libraries.
Special Exhibitions
Explore powerful Waitangi protest photographs by John Miller, a leading Māori documentary photographer whose work spans over five decades of activism and social change in Aotearoa.
Waitangi Day Festival
1pm - 5pm
From 1pm, the Waitangi Day Festival kicks off along the Waikato Awa, from Ferrybank Reserve to Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery. Enjoy live performances, a vibrant marketplace, food trucks, children’s entertainment, cultural art tours, and family friendly activities as we come together to celebrate Waitangi Day in Kirikiriroa.
Free entry to Exscite
Riverside entrance open
Bring the whaanau to explore hands-on science activities in our interactive gallery. Discover, play, and learn together as we celebrate Waitangi Day with free entry.
Pop Up Exhibition: John Miller, Waitangi Photographs
Trust Waikato Art Gallery
This pop-up exhibition explores powerful Waitangi protest photographs by John Miller, a leading Maaori documentary photographer whose work spans over five decades of activism and social change in Aotearoa.
Schedule
He Toi, He Taonga: Waitangi Day Crafts
10am - 3pm
Exscite
Celebrate Waitangi Day through hands-on creativity. Explore your identity through pepeha, portraits, and a foldable taahei treasure box decorated with what matters most to you.
Waitangi Te Whare Taonga Tour (#1)
11am - 11:45am
Meet in foyer
Journey through our galleries and discover the stories behind some of our most treasured taonga. Register online or at the front desk to secure your place.
Temporary Taa Moko for Children
11am - 4pm
Whaanau Space
Taa moko are deeply significant for Maaori as a physical manifestation of whakapapa. As part of our Waitangi Day, children (14 years and under) are invited to try a temporary taa moko.
Portrait Parlour: Vintage Photo Experience
11am - 4pm
Marae Aatea
Connect with your past and make new memories. Our Portrait Parlour invites you to dress in vintage clothing inspired by the style of our tuupuna and sit for a portrait in a Victorian-era setting.
Waitangi Day Festival
Friday 6th February
1pm - 5pm
Riverside Activities
1pm - 5pm
Ferrybank Public Reserve (Kirikiriroa Reserve)
Spend time in Ferrybank Reserve beside the Waikato Awa, where you’ll be entertained by circus activities, giant bubbles, stilt walkers and a DJ. Wander along the river path to visit a range of information stands, check out the NRL All Stars trophies, try your hand at rakau stick games and more.
Food Trucks & Market Stalls
1pm - 5pm
Museum Carpark
Cultural Performance: Wai Taiko Drummers
1pm - 1:20pm
Forecourt Stage
Wai Taiko brings the energy and rhythm of Japanese taiko. Based in Hamilton, this community group shares the power of traditional Japanese percussion through dynamic performances that celebrate culture and connection.
Cultural Performance: Sambatron
1:30pm - 1:50pm
Forecourt Stage
Sambatron is Hamilton’s vibrant Brazilian-style percussion group. Known for their infectious beats and carnival spirit, they bring the sounds of samba to life with high-energy performances that are bound to get you moving.
Cultural Performance: Desi Rhythms
2pm - 2:10pm
Forecourt Stage
Desi Rhythms celebrates the rich traditions of South Asian dance. Their colourful performances blend classical and contemporary styles, showcasing the grace, rhythm, and storytelling of Indian culture.
He Koorero o te Whenua: Treaty of Waitangi Workshop
2pm - 4pm
Education Rooms
Celebrate Waitangi Day by exploring Kirikiriroa Hamilton’s connection to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Join Kodi Hapi from Hamilton City Libraries for this interactive workshop. Places are limited. Please register to attend.
Te Ahurei Maori Tourism: Public Art River Walking Tour
2pm - 3:30pm
Meet at Tongue of the Dog
Please note, this is a walking tour. Please wear sun protection and appropriate footwear.
NRL All Stars: Live Q&A
2:05pm
Forecourt Stage
Catch a live Q&A on stage with Harata Butler from the Maori All Stars Women’s Team and be in with a chance to win ticket giveaways.
Cultural Performance: Toubab Crew
2:30pm
Forecourt Stage
Waitangi Te Whare Taonga Tour (#2)
2:30pm - 3:15pm
Meet in foyer
Journey through our galleries and discover the stories behind some of our most treasured taonga.
Performance: Dvyne Wun
3pm
Forecourt Stage
Performance: Manu Mātātahi
3.45pm - 4.15pm
Forecourt Stage
Manu Mātātahi is a kapa haka roopuu of talented rangatahi who perform with pride and passion. Their waiata and haka celebrate te ao Maaori and the strength of youth, connecting audiences to tikanga and whakapapa.
Performance: Jamey Ferguson
4:30pm - 5pm
Forecourt Stage
Jamey Ferguson is a celebrated New Zealand musician best known as a founding member of the iconic band Katchafire. His soulful voice and mastery of reggae rhythms have made him a beloved figure in Aotearoa’s music scene.
Waitangi Film Screening: Whina
12:30pm
Lecture Theatre
Experience the inspiring story of Dame Whina Cooper, whose leadership, courage, and compassion shaped Aotearoa during this free screening as part of our extended Waitangi Day Weekend.
Documentary Screening: Pathfinders - John Miller
2:30pm
Lecture Theatre
This short documentary features John Miller, an award-winning photographer renowned for his documentation of protest movements in Aotearoa. His life journey is one that has encapsulated our most significant historical events.
Waitangi Film Screening: The Haka Party Incident
3pm
Lecture Theatre
Discover the story of a defining moment in Aotearoa’s history and the powerful act of protest during this free screening as part of our extended Waitangi Day Weekend.
He Titiro Whakamuri: A Treasured Glimpse of Waitangi Archival Footage
10am - 5pm
Marae Aatea
Watch ‘He Tirotiro Whakamuri – A Treasured Glimpse of Waitangi’ a compilation of archival footage, from the collection of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. The programme pairs footage of the first official public commemoration at the Treaty Grounds in 1934 with Bishop Vercoe’s impassioned speech before the Queen in 1990.