Waitangi Day in the Queenstown Gardens

Residents and visitors are being invited to pack a picnic and come along to the Queenstown Gardens on Wednesday February 6 for a community picnic to celebrate Waitangi Day.

Queenstown Lakes District Council arts and events facilitator Jan Maxwell says the picnic, organised in tandem with the Wakatipu Whanau Group, builds on the success of last year’s event.

“We held this event for the first time last year and the response was brilliant,” she said.

“We had a great mix of locals and tourists of all ages and nationalities coming together to discover more about Maori culture and history. The feedback we received universally supported staging it again.”

Well known local musician Ned Webster will be MC the event, introducing live music from local performers and telling stories of the history of the Wakatipu. There will be stalls offering Maori massage and hangi food and people will also be able to try their hand at flax weaving.

People can bring a picnic or buy food on site.

Mrs Maxwell said she’s also hoping for a repeat of last year’s weather.

“The sun shone last year and we’re hoping for the same again. People should pack sunblock and a hat as well as a picnic”

The Waitangi Day Community Picnic runs from 1pm-5pm on Wednesday 6 February at the band rotunda in the Queenstown Gardens. Admission is free.