What’s on this Waitangi Day

The Waitangi @ Waititi event was a great success for our UPC team, whose stall was very popular and allowed many opportunities to engage with the community. Andrea Thumath, Director Under 25s Student Success and UPC said “We were hectic all day and went through just under 1,500 colouring packs! We saw lots of current and past students and staff. It was an awesome day.”

Waitangi Day events around Tamaki Makaurau

Unitec will once again host a stand at Waitangi @ Waititi 2020 this Thursday, our national holiday recognising the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Waitangi @ Waititi, hosted by Hoani Waititi Marae and organised and sponsored by Te Whānau O Waipareira Trust, brings some of New Zealand’s finest musicians to the stage including Katchafire, KORA, Ardijah, Che Fu and the Crates, and DJ Rocky Ponting. There’ll also be kai stalls, misting tents to cool off and rides for the tamariki.

Our UPC team will set up a chill zone to engage young people and their whānau, where they can chat about what Unitec can offer and participate in activities such as a creating designs using hundreds of coloured pencils in a large 3D box or relaxing in the shade playing large outdoor games.

This year, UPC are partnering with Kākano Youth Arts Collective, an amazing group of artists that work with under 25s in our community, sharing both the space and the work the young people in our communities create. Head along to show your support if you can! Admission is free.

Check out Director of UPC and Under 25s Student Success Andrea Thumath’s Yammer post here following last year’s event.

Waitangi @ Waititi is one of many events happening around Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) where you can enjoy time with whānau and friends in the wonderful public spaces throughout the city. Other events are listed on the Auckland Council website.

Tamariki colouring the mural at last year’s Waitangi @ Waititi event.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi from the perspective of our newest Professor

Professor Leonie Pihama from our Ngā Wai a te Tūī – Māori and Indigenous Research Centre delivered her Professorial Address at Te Noho Kotahitanga marae on Monday. She reminded the audience of the importance of the ‘Declaration of Independence’, where tino rangatiratanga (sovereignty) was discussed the day before the Treaty of Waitangi signing, and her belief is that this paved the way to the signing of the Treaty.

Watch the segment on Te Karere to learn more about Leonie’s address. For subtitles, click the ‘settings’ cog and select ‘subtitles on’.