A great family fun day out in Okains Bay. Events include a traditional Maori welcome onto the Marae, a magnificent carved waka being paddled up the river, colonial displays, exhibits, crafts, vintage engines, printing presses, children’s games, a traditional hangi lunch, music and a garden bar and so much more.
Okains Bay Commemorations
Nau mai, Tautī mai. Join us at the Okains Bay Māori and Colonial Museum for a family day to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Highlights include a pōwhiri (traditional welcome),
New Zealand citizenship ceremony, hāngī lunch, craft workshops by Rekindle, taonga puoro (Māori musical instruments), cocksfoot demonstration, working blacksmith, kids races, and the paddling of the Ngai Tahu waka, Kōtukumairangi on the Ōpara River at 2pm. View the Museum’s amazing collections and enjoy continuous demonstrations all day including spinning, bread baking in a traditional clay oven, master weavers, and print shop. Crafts, stalls, lolly scramble, sausage sizzle, espresso coffee, garden bar, cafeteria and more!
The Waitangi Day commemorations at Okains Bay are the longest standing in the South Island with 2021 being the 46th consecutive commemoration.
Gates open at 9:30am.
Pōwhiri (traditional welcome) commences at 10:30am.
Waka paddling at 2pm.
Entrance Adults $10, Children $2
Please bring cash. No ATM available.
