More than 400 people attended the Ngai Tahu treaty festival in Bluff for Waitangi Day yesterday, the appearance of some New Zealand wildlife proving a highlight for many guests.
Native birds and a tuatara made a special appearance at the festival held at Te Rau Aroha Marae.
Visitor Andrew Watkins, of Bluff, said he always came to the marae for the Waitangi Day commemorations.
Mr Watkins said the day was about ''celebrating New Zealand'', but this year's highlight was seeing the native birds, especially takahe, at the marae.
Visitors had the opportunity to view two takahe brought by the Department of Conservation (Doc) staff from Te Anau, as well as a kakapo, a kiwi and a tuatara.
Yesterday's Bluff festival commemorated the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in Te Waipounamu, and began with a powhiri, a formal welcome, then lunch and discussion about the treaty.
Bluff is the closest town to Ruapuke Island, which was one of three Te Waipounamu locations where Ngai Tahu signed the treaty in 1840.
Each year the commemorations rotate between the three locations, which also include Otakou Marae near Dunedin and Onuku Marae on Banks Peninsula.
Doc set up a viewing area to house the kakapo, Lisa1, which was renamed Ruapuke, on Thursday.
The nocturnal Ruapuke was on display throughout Thursday night, then taken back to Whenua Hou/Codfish Island in the early hours of yesterday.
Tomorrow about 80 people are expected to gather at the marae for a lunch and social event to mark the 30th anniversary of the marae.
- Janette Gellatly
