Waitangi

2025 - 2 - 5

When Teens Meet Tides: Adventures and Awareness at Waitangi!

David Seymour Gisborne - Māori rights - New Zealand Youth Choir - police rescue - political tensions - rangatahi - Treaty of Waitangi - Waitangi Day - David Seymour

From rescuing teens to celebrating youth voices, Waitangi is making waves this year!

The Waitangi Day celebrations at Gisborne brought with it a renewed focus on rangatahi (youth) and their voices. Organised by Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa, the commemorations aimed to ignite conversations about the thoughts and aspirations of the younger generation, highlighting the importance of their contributions to Aotearoa’s future. With a range of activities and discussions, attendees were encouraged to engage, reflect, and dream big!

However, not all was serene on that day. In a moment that garnered both concern and appreciation, two teenage girls recently found themselves in a precarious situation after jumping off the Waitangi Wharf. While their adventurous spirit led them to take a plunge, it quickly turned into a life-threatening scenario as they were swept out to sea. Luckily, the Police Maritime Unit was nearby and acted swiftly to rescue the girls just in time, reminding everyone of the ocean’s unpredictable nature and the essential role of quick-thinking responders.

As events unfolded, the bustling atmosphere was filled with speeches, performances, and even political tensions. Waitangi Day 2025 saw a gathering of notable figures, including representatives from the Kiingitanga and various government leaders. However, it didn’t come without controversy as protests erupted against some of the government policies that affected Māori rights. Notably, the Act Party leader, David Seymour, faced considerable backlash, with protesters turning their backs on his address—a striking visual representation of the dissatisfaction felt by many with current governmental directions.

In contrast to the serious nature of the events, people were also encouraged to celebrate shared histories and uplifting moments. Festivals across regions highlighted community values and aspirations. With Waitangi continuing to be a focal point for dialogue and reflection, it serves to connect New Zealanders in their pursuit of a brighter, inclusive future.

Interestingly, the first Waitangi Day was celebrated in 1934, marking the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, which is considered the founding document of New Zealand. Furthermore, the Flannagan Cup swim at Ngamotu Beach has been a beloved tradition since 1916, showcasing impressive open water swimming against the stunning backdrop of Taranaki’s coastline. Just like the unpredictability of the tides, Waitangi Day annually reminds us of the challenges and triumphs that continue to shape our identity as New Zealanders.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Gisborne Waitangi commemoration focused on youth (New Zealand Herald)

Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa's Waitangi Day celebrations in Gisborne will focus on the whakaaro (thoughts) of rangatahi and starting a conversation around ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Teen girls rescued after jumping off Waitangi Wharf, being swept away (RNZ)

The teenage girls were swept away after jumping off Waitangi Wharf - another few minutes and it could have been a different result, police say.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Newstalk ZB"

How quick-thinking police rescued two teens at Waitangi celebrations (Newstalk ZB)

The Police Maritime Unit was in the right place at the right time to rescue two teenagers from the water off Waitangi.

Right Place Right Time For Waitangi Rescue (Scoop.co.nz)

At about 3.30pm on Tuesday, the Police Maritime Unit were returning to the wharf when they noticed two heads bobbing in the water.

Police who came across two teens struggling in the water at ... (NZCity)

The two girls got out of their depth after jumping off Waitangi Wharf yesterday afternoon, and were being swept out to sea by the current.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Waitangi Day 2025: All the speeches and events from the Treaty ... (RNZ)

Representatives from the Kiingitanga, including the new monarch Te Arikinui Nga wai hono I te po, were formally welcomed at Waitangi on Tuesday afternoon.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Spinoff"

Live updates from Waitangi: Politicians respond to speech ... (The Spinoff)

All the news from Waitangi as it happens. Our Waitangi 2025 coverage is possible because of the 13,000-plus Spinoff members who regularly pay to support our ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Scoop.co.nz"

Mtakitaki Mai Waitangi Day 2025 With Whakaata Mori (Scoop.co.nz)

Our Waitangi schedule begins at 5.00AM with Peter-Lucas Jones and Blake Ihimaera live from the Treaty grounds for WAITANGI 2025 - KA HAO TE RANGATAHI.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Waitangi Day 2025: Waikato events to celebrate shared history and ... (New Zealand Herald)

In honour of Waitangi Day , Hamilton City Council has put together a special festival programme which carries the theme “weaving our future together”.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Newstalk ZB"

Live: MPs face hundreds of Toitū te Tiriti supporters lining the Treaty ... (Newstalk ZB)

Act leader David Seymour was seen standing next to NZ First leader Winston Peters and Shane Jones. Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee accepted the first wero, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

The Post (Stuff.co.nz)

Flannagan Cup, Ngamotu Beach. The iconic open water swim at Ngamotu Beach has been on the Taranaki calendar since 1916. Set along the beautiful west coast ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Shane Jones' threat to cut future funding for Waitangi Trust over ... (RNZ)

The senior NZ First Minister said the pōwhiri had become a circus and was no longer fit for purpose after multiple interruptions.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Otago Daily Times"

Backs turned on Seymour at Waitangi (Otago Daily Times)

The Act party leader hopes to change the legal meaning of the document through the Treaty Principles Bill, currently before parliament. Mr Seymour argues the ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Māori protesters turn their backs on government ministers at ... (The Guardian)

Anger at policies that roll back Māori rights surface as rightwing Act party leader David Seymour has microphone removed twice and protesters stage walkout.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Waitangi 2025: Protesters turn their backs on Seymour (New Zealand Herald)

Protesters turn their backs on Act leader David Seymour during his speech at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds marae.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Shane Jones' threat to cut future funding for Waitangi Trust over ... (RNZ)

The senior NZ First Minister said the pōwhiri had become a circus and was no longer fit for purpose after multiple interruptions.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Kura students travel to Waitangi for hands-on learning experience (New Zealand Herald)

Thirty-four students from a Tauranga kura have travelled more than 365km to experience Waitangi first-hand this year. Te Kura o Maungatapu deputy principal.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "RNZ"

New Zealand Youth Choir goes to Waitangi (RNZ)

RNZ Concert host Bryan Crump talks with soprano Tess Dalgety-Evans ahead of the choir's performances at the Treaty Grounds on Waitangi Day.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Act's David Seymour, NZ First's Shane Jones and the battles of ... (New Zealand Herald)

THREE KEY FACTS It's the David Seymour show. No, wait, it's the Shane Jones show! Actually, this Waitangi might just turn out to be the Tama Potaka show....

Post cover
Image courtesy of "1 News"

Waitangi 2025: Haka pōwhiri fit for Government? (1 News)

The final kaiwero stalked up and down the line for a prolonged length of time before NZ First MP Shane Jones stepped forward to trigger a response. It was the ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Pacific Media Network News"

Pacific MPs reflect on tensions at Waitangi pōwhiri (Pacific Media Network News)

Following a heated pōwhiri at Waitangi, Pacific MPs Carmel Sepuloni and Teanau Tuiono weigh in on the political divisions.

Waitangi Day 2025 live: Dawn ceremony marks commemorations (RNZ)

The ceremony is taking place at Te Whare Rūnanga Marae on the upper Treaty grounds.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Waitangi Day 2025: Dawn ceremony begins after lively Parliament pōwhiri (New Zealand Herald)

Waitangi Day's dawn ceremony is underway at the majestic Treaty Grounds following a lively and at times fiery Parliament pōwhiri yesterday. The ceremony at the Te Whare Rūnanga meeting house will include readings from politicians and other leaders, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Otago Daily Times"

Waitangi Day celebrations (Otago Daily Times)

New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones expressed the forlorn hope yesterday that Waitangi Day should move on from being a score sheet or a tale of woe and ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "1 News"

Live Waitangi 2025: Dawn ceremony marks commemorations (1 News)

Singer Jaedyn Randell, runner-up of The Voice Australia and voice of Disney reo Māori princesses Moana and Anna (Frozen), sang the national anthem, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Times Online - Auckland"

Public Opinion: Waitangi Day (Times Online - Auckland)

Tomorrow is the 185th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on February 6, 1840, one of New Zealand's important founding documents.

Explore the last week