The Te Anau Wai Tangī Charitable Trust launched the 2025 Te Anau Waitangi Festival yesterday, with a 10-day celebration of Māori culture and heritage.
The festival offers a diverse range of events, including kapa haka performances, storytelling, waka ama, and a lakeside hangi.
Festival chairman Toni Waiwiri announced this year's theme, "Taonga tuku iho | Treasures of our heritage," aims to highlight the stories, knowledge, and traditions passed down through generations.
Mr Waiwiri explained, "this theme underpins the festival's performances, exhibitions, and community activities, emphasising the importance of preserving and sharing cultural heritage."
The Te Anau Waitangi Festival has evolved significantly over the years.
The trust has been commemorating Waitangi Day since 2018 with elaborate re-enactments of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Since 2022, however, the event has grown into a full-fledged festival, spanning up to 10 days of activities.
In 2023, the trust's efforts were recognised when they won the "He tohu kia mau ki ngā taonga tuku iho" award at the inaugural ILT Southland Creative Arts Awards.
This award acknowledged groups that pursue the reclamation, preservation, and celebration of te ao Māori in their work.
Mr Waiwiri said the event had grown into a seven to 10-day programme with some events running throughout February.
"Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a strong desire for more history and cultural events each year."
He said the event had become a tradition for people across the region. Some highlights include the "Te Tiriti-Ruapuke, June 1840" exhibition at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, which explores the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the South.
Also notable is the Te Anau School's kapa haka group performance, a first-time feature at the festival, showing the growing prominence of kapa haka in the community.
Mr Waiwiri encouraged locals and visitors alike to attend the events and connect with the culture.
"Waitangi Day is a time for reflection, learning, and celebration in Murihiku, Southland. Our festival provides a space for whānau, manuhiri (visitors), and locals to engage with our history in an accessible and meaningful way. It brings the community together to honour the past while looking toward the future."
