< National Maori

Waitangi Day celebrated across Aotearoa

February 8, 2026

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Article written by Milli Banbury

This article was written using AI as an assistive tool for research and writing.

Learning Options

Recall Questions

Thinking questions

Digital Thinking

Learning Options

Recall Questions

Thinking questions

Digital Thinking

Did You Know?

What special ceremony marks the beginning of Waitangi Day celebrations?

A special dawn service is held at Te Whare Rūnanga to start Waitangi Day.

Find out more: Waitangi Day celebrated across Aotearoa

Vocabulary

Click on the words in the article. See if you can find them all.

waka A traditional Māori canoe. The waka crossed the bay during the celebrations.

haka A traditional Māori dance or chant. The crew performed a haka on the beach.

karakia A Māori prayer or blessing. Karakia opened the day's events at the service.

Thinking Question

How do you think celebrating Waitangi Day helps bring people together?

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