Waitangi Day for Friday 6 February 2026
8.10 A Waitangi Day Gift
Kotahitanga - unity was the driver for the iwi of Ngai Tahu formally bringing a delegation from the south island to Waitangi for the first time in 20 years
As Stacey is from Ngai Tahu she wanted to be there, so she traveled up and yesterday after they were welcomed onto Te Tii, she spoke to the people who made it happen: Ngai Tahu leaders Edward Ellison upoko, head of Otakou, his daughter Dr Megan Potiki, and te reo and tikanga expert Paulette Tamati-Elliffe
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds 2026. Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ
8.30 Īhaka Martyn's Waitangi Day Theatre Roadshow
This Waitangi day in Wellington, playwright Īhaka Martyn will perform his autobiographical one-man show, He Māori? in three different locations across the city.
The show weaves elements of stand-up comedy, waiata, and physical performance to explore the confusion, comedy and celebration of reclaiming his Māoritanga from a Pākehā upbringing.
Stacey chats to Īhaka about his preparation.
Find out more information about Waitangi in Wellington here.
Īhaka/Isaac Martyn Photo: Fender Maeva
8.45am An Amazing Waitangi Race in Timaru
Throughout our show this morning, we'll be travelling around Aotearoa, and beyond, to see how different communities are marking Waitangi Day.
We're heading to Timaru where Waitangi Day celebrations or more specifically an Amazing Waitangi Race are about to kick off.
Joining Stacey are Karl Jackson and Julie Calder from Te Aitarikihi Marae-Ā-Iwi to tell us more.
Photo: RNZ
9.06am The Waitangi Day Google Doodle
If you're searching the web today, maybe googling where you can grab some good kai this Waitangi Day, you will see the artwork of Morgan Darlison.
Morgan is an artist based in Ōtautahi Christchurch artist who has been comissioned to create what's called a Google Doodle, which is a chance for an artist to put their own spin on that ubiquitous Google logo that sits on the home page and it's visible to everyone in New Zealand as a way to commemorate Waitangi Day.
Stacey chats to Morgan to find out the inspiration behind her design.
Photo: 123RF
9.25 Hamo Dell
If you're tuning in from Auckland, one of the most fun things you can do this Waitangi Day is head down to Waitangi at Waititi. It's an annual free whānau celebration held at Parrs Park in Auckland's Glen Eden.
One of the headline performers is Māori singer, Hamo Dell.
She's been making her mark on Aotearoa New Zealand's music industry for over a decade - she was previously the female lead singer for Tomorrow People and now as a solo artist.
Hamo joins Stacey for a chat.
Hamo Dell Photo: Wechat:18491239
9.45 Waitangi Day in Te Anau
Throughout our show this morning, we'll be travelling around Aotearoa, and beyond, to see how different communities are marking Waitangi Day.
Right now we're heading south to Te Anau, population of about three-thousand people and gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
10.06 Live from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
We'll join RNZ's Tania Page live from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to get the on-the-ground vibe!
A Waitangi guest. Photo: MARK PAPALII / RNZ
10.25 The extraordinary hospitality of Hinerupe Marae
While most of the country is in Holiday mode, or event mode today, places like Te Araroa, which were hit hard by the devastating weather, are still in a state of emergency and the clean-up continutes.
One of the places that has been deeply involved in the community response is Hinerupe Marae.
Joining me now is the Secretary and Trustee of the Hinerupe Marae Trust, Trudi Ngawhare,
Flooding signs out to warn drivers in Tai Rāwhiti. Photo: RNZ/ Kate Green
10.45 Waitangi Day in Tauranga
Throughout our show this morning, we're be travelling around Aotearoa, and beyond, to see how different communities are marking Waitangi Day.
Right now we're heading south to Tauranga where the Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival at Historic Village is in full swing.
Joining me Stacey is Richard Cameron, Chair of the He Iwi Kotahi Tauranga Moana Charitable Trust
11.05 Waitangi through the lens of protest photographer John Miller
At Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, there is currently a very special pop-up exhibition.
It explores the powerful Waitangi protest photographs of John Miller, a leading Māori documentary photographer whose work spans over five decades of activism and social change in Aotearoa.
John has photographed everything from opposition to the Vietnam war to the Stop the Tour anti-Springbok protests of 1981 to demonstrations against the invasion of Ukraine.
He was awarded the Media Peace Award in 2003 and the Marti Friedlander Photographic Award in 2009 and he's still going at 75-years old.
Stacey speaks with John in a very fun conversation learn more about his very interesting life, photography, memories and Waitangi Day through his lens.
John Miller's photograph of the 1975 land march held up in the same location at the 2024 Hīkoi in Pōneke Wellington Photo: John M Miller
11.25 Kasey and Karena Bird in Singapore
This Waitangi Day, masterchef winners Karena and Kasey Bird have travelled all the way to Singapore.
More specifically to Rise Restaurant at the magificent Marina Bay Sands, where they'll be treating diners to food inspired by their Māori heritage.
With every dish reflecting a deep connection to seasonality, storytelling and respect for the land, tradition, and community.
Kacey and Karina join Stacey for a chat.
Kasey & Karena Bird Photo: Kasey & Karena Bird
11.45 Waitangi Day in Brisbane
Throughout our show this morning, we've been travelling around Aotearoa, to see how different communities are marking Waitangi Day.
But right now, we're heading all the way cross the ditch to Brisbane to find out how they're preparing for their own Waitangi Day Celebrations.
Joining Stacey for a chat is Danny Heke from the Mozzy Foundation.
Waitangi Day in Brisbane
Throughout our show this morning, we've been travelling around Aotearoa, to see how different communities are marking Waitangi Day. But right now, we're heading all the way cross the ditch to Brisbane to find out how they're preparing for their own Waitangi Day Celebrations. Joining Stacey for a chat is Danny Heke from the Mozzy Foundation.
Kasey and Karena Bird in Singapore
This Waitangi Day, masterchef winners Karena and Kasey Bird have travelled all the way to Singapore. More specifically to Rise Restaurant at the magificent Marina Bay Sands, where they'll be treating diners to food inspired by their Maori heritage. With every dish reflecting a deep connection to seasonality, storytelling and respect for the land, tradition, and community. Kacey and Karina join Stacey for a chat.
Waitangi through the lens of John Miller
At Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, there is currently a very special pop-up exhibition. It explores the powerful Waitangi protest photographs of John Miller, a leading Maori documentary photographer whose work spans over five decades of activism and social change in Aotearoa. John has photographed everything from opposition to the Vietnam war to the Stop the Tour anti-Springbok protests of 1981 to demonstrations against the invasion of Ukraine. He was awarded the Media Peace Award in 2003 and the Marti Friedlander Photographic Award in 2009 and he's still going at 75-years old. Stacey speaks with John in a very fun conversation learn more about his very interesting life, photography, memories and Waitangi Day through his lens.
Waitangi Day in Tauranga
Throughout our show this morning, we're be travelling around Aotearoa, and beyond, to see how different communities are marking Waitangi Day. Right now we're heading south to Tauranga where the Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival at Historic Village is in full swing. Joining me Stacey is Richard Cameron, Chair of the He Iwi Kotahi Tauranga Moana Charitable Trust.
Live from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
We'll join RNZ's Tania Page live from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to get the on-the-ground vibe!
The extraordinary hospitality of Hinerupe Marae
While most of the country is in Holiday mode, or event mode today, places like Te Araroa, which were hit hard by the devastating weather, are still in a state of emergency and the clean-up continutes. One of the places that has been deeply involved in the community response is Hinerupe Marae. Joining me now is the Secretary and Trustee of the Hinerupe Marae Trust, Trudi Ngawhare.
Waitangi Day in Te Anau
Throughout our show this morning, we'll be travelling around Aotearoa, and beyond, to see how different communities are marking Waitangi Day. Right now we're heading south to Te Anau, population of about three-thousand people and gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. Joining me now is Kris Dale from the Te Anau Waitangi Charitable Trust.
Hamo Dell
If you're tuning in from Auckland, one of the most fun things you can do this Waitangi Day is head down to Waitangi at Waititi. It's an annual free whanau celebration held at Parrs Park in Auckland's Glen Eden. One of the headline performers is Maori singer, Hamo Dell. She's been making her mark on Aotearoa New Zealand's music industry for over a decade - she was previously the female lead singer for Tomorrow People and now as a solo artist. Hamo joins Stacey for a chat.
The Waitangi Day Google Doodle
If you're searching the web today, maybe googling where you can grab some good kai this Waitangi Day, you will see the artwork of Morgan Darlison. Morgan is an artist based in Otautahi Christchurch artist who has been comissioned to create what's called a Google Doodle, which is a chance for an artist to put their own spin on that ubiquitous Google logo that sits on the home page and it's visible to everyone in New Zealand as a way to commemorate Waitangi Day. Stacey chats to Morgan to find out the inspiration behind her design.
An Amazing Waitangi Race in Timaru
Throughout our show this morning, we'll be travelling around Aotearoa, and beyond, to see how different communities are marking Waitangi Day. We're heading to Timaru where Waitangi Day celebrations or more specifically an Amazing Waitangi Race are about to kick off. Joining Stacey are Karl Jackson and Julie Calder from Te Aitarikihi Marae-Ā-Iwi to tell us more.
Īhaka Martyn's Waitangi Day Theatre Roadshow
This Waitangi day in Wellington, playwright Ihaka Martyn will perform his autobiographical one-man show, He Maori? in three different locations across the city. The show weaves elements of stand-up comedy, waiata, and physical performance to explore the confusion, comedy and celebration of reclaiming his Maoritanga from a Pakeha upbringing. Stacey chats to Ihaka about his preparation. Find out more information about Waitangi in Wellington here.
A Waitangi Day Gift
Kotahitanga - unity was the driver for the iwi of Ngai Tahu formally bringing a delegation from the south island to Waitangi for the first time in 20 years As Stacey is from Ngai Tahu she wanted to be there, so she traveled up and yesterday after they were welcomed onto Te Tii, she spoke to the people who made it happen: Ngai Tahu leaders Edward Ellison upoko, head of Otakou, his daughter Dr Megan Potiki, and te reo and tikanga expert Paulette Tamati-Elliffe
Daisy Boulton
There are plenty of first-timers here at Waitangi this year. One of them is Daisy Boulton - Daisy's an English actress, director and producer who's in Aotearoa developing a film with a very New Zealand story.
Hauauru Rawiri, former treaty negotiator for Ngati Paoa
Mihingarangi Forbes talks to to Hauauru Rawiri, former treaty negotiator for Ngati Paoa and iwi historian.
Ocean symposium.being held in Waitangi
You can feed your puku and feed your mind at Waitangi. All week there are special wānanga on about all sorts of things... but this week we've also seen a really special gathering called Taiātea It's an ocean symposium.
Tania Simpson - new chair of the Waitangi National Trust
Someone who knows all about manaakitanga is our next guest - Tania Simpson Ngai Tahu, Ngapuhi and Tainui, the new chair of the Waitangi National Trust.
Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins
Labour Leader Chris Hipkins reflects on messages conveyed at Waitangi 2026 and pays tribute to Peeni Henare.
Tama Muru joins Dan Busby on the history trail
In 1833 the British Government of the day appointed James Busby as the first Official British Resident, based here at Waitangi. His main duties were to 'protect well disposed settlers and traders, prevent outrages by Europeans against Māori and apprehend escaped convicts' but with no troops and no powers of arrest - local Māori nicknamed him the "man of war without guns.' Nowadays there's Dan Busby, who conducts tours around the Treaty Grounds and his whanau is linked to the James Busby of the 1830s.
Waitangi haka performer talks about sharing her culture with everyone who visits the treay grounds
Waimatangi Hotere is the team leader and spoke about her role in welcoming visitors to Waitangi treaty grounds.
Dame Naida Glavish
Mihingarangi Forbes asks Dame Naida Glavish what the way forward is for Te Pati Maori.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi talk about his message to Ngāpuhi
Mihingarangi Forbes asks Rawiri Waititi about his message to Ngāpuhi.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith talks about what he took away from Waitangi
All are welcome here at Waitangi - New Zealanders from around the country, locals, tourists, and also government MPs - many who have spent the week here, the haukainga welcomes the government recognising the special partnership between Maori and the Crown. Mihingarangi Forbes spoke with Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith and asked him what he took away from the powhiri.
