Press Release

31 January 2017

Prime Minister to attend Waitangi@Waititi 2017

Bill English will join thousands of westies at Hoani Waititi Marae celebrating Waitangi Day.

Instead of attending the traditional celebrations in Northland, the Prime Minister will spend Waitangi Day in Auckland, meeting and greeting whānau on our Marae.

Hoani Waititi Marae kaumatua Sir Pita Sharples said it was an honour to host the Prime Minister.

“When Bill English was Minister of Finance, he was a great supporter of many Māori initiatives like Whānau Ora,” Sir Pita said.

“So yes, we are very honoured to host him and as the new Prime Minister of New Zealand I’m sure our people will show him the respect he holds and deserves.”

The PM will join Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, local MPs and thousands of westies at Hoani Waititi Marae – the spiritual mecca for urban Māori – for a day-long music extravaganza.

Alongside UK headliners Black Slate, Whānau Waipareira has lined up Katchafire, Aaradhana, The Royal Family Dance crew, Kings. Moana & The Tribe, Rob Ruha, Ray Bishop, ABBIE, Maaka, IHI and the Freshman’s Dance Crew.

Waipareira Chair Raymond Hall said the presence of the Prime Minister and Mayor made Waitangi@Waititi the No 1 place to be on February 6.

“We knew that if we invested in an event like this for our community, our community would back us up,” Raymond said of the support Waitangi@Waititi has.

“And on behalf of Waipareira, we are honoured to have the Prime Minister and the Auckland Mayor on our Marae celebrating with us on this special day.”

Raymond also acknowledged support from The Trusts Community Foundation, Ministry of Culture & Heritage, the Whau, Waitakere and Henderson-Massey Local Boards.

This is the 4th year Waipareira has delivered this FREE concert to the west Auckland community, that has attracted almost 30,000 to the Hoani Waititi Marae.

Waitangi@Waititi is a smoke free, alcohol free, drug free, violence free event. Pōwhiri starts at 9.30am and the main stage entertainment at 10am.

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