Waitangi Celebrations to rock Paekak

Kāpiti’s Waitangi celebrations are being held in Paekākāriki this year, fittingly, in full view of Kāpiti Island where Kāpiti’s iwi signed the Treaty of Waitangi.

The event, hosted by Kāpiti Coast District Council in partnership with Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Paekākāriki hapu Ngāti Haumia, and Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti, will feature a host of culturally-themed exhibits, food stalls and top entertainment.

Organisers are excited to have booked Wellington supergroup, The Yoots, for the event. The Wellington-based ensemble includes members of Black Seeds, Twinset and the Phoenix Foundation, with Fat Freddy’s Drop’s trombonist Joe Lindsay. The group performs alternative takes on classic waiata such as Nga Iwi E, which is played in a Jamaican ska style. Performances are accompanied by giant lyric sheets to encourage people to sing along.

Organising committee member Helen Keivom says getting the Yoots for the day has been a major coup.

“Having this prestigious group at our event is just fabulous. They are in such demand I reckon we will be the envy of other Waitangi Day events in the country.”
 
The event will host around 20 food stalls with a range of offerings including, hangi, whitebait fritters, Paella, Thai curries, sushi and a juice bar.

The day will begin with a powhiri at 10am, to which everyone is invited, followed by a cup of tea, speeches from Mayor Jenny Rowan, Labour MP for Mana Kris Faafoi and Green MP Jan Logie.

There's a historical iwi exhibition and Ta Moko demonstration at the adjacent Paekākāriki Memorial Hall, kapa haka, Ti Rakau (stick game) competition and craft/community stalls.
 
Kāpiti teenage jazz sensations, the Singh Brothers and Reggae- funk band, Jomba, will also be performing. The Kāpiti Coast Youth Council has organised a display by professional skaters, to be held at upper Campbell Park.

Helen Keivom says the event will go ahead rain or shine.