The Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day dawn service returns to Hopukiore (Mount Drury Reserve) in Mount Maunganui for this year's gathering.

The service on Monday, February 6, is an opportunity for Tauranga's community to commemorate the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi, and reflect on what it means to us today.

A welcome from tangata whenua begins the service at 6.30am, and will be followed by hymns, guest speakers, and kapa haka. This year speakers include local kaumātua (elders), clergy from community church groups, civic leaders and rangatahi (youth) leaders. The ceremony will conclude with a closing karakia at 8am.

Tauranga City Council manager of strategic Māori engagement Carlo Ellis says the dawn service represents a time for the community to come together for an important date in Aotearoa New Zealand's history.

'We're grateful for Whareroa Marae hosting a reduced service last year due to physical distancing restrictions, and it's exciting to look toward the upcoming service where the Tauranga Moana community can gather in-person to honour and reflect on the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi,”
says Carlo.

The dawn service will be recorded and available to view online later in the day for those who can't attend in-person.

A road closure will be in place on Monday, February 6, from 5.30am until 9am on Marine Parade from Grace Ave to Pacific Ave.

Tauranga City Council is proud to work collaboratively with mana whenua to ensure this important date in our country's history is commemorated year on year.

Carlo says TCC works, as part of the organising committee, alongside the Whareroa Marae Committee, Ngai Tukairangi, Māori Wardens, Te Kohinga Network, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Tauranga Church Community.

The organising committee receives funding from Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council to support the service.

***TCC community relations advisor Abe Leach told The Sun at the time of print: that the council's project team were yet to make a decision on if this event would be cancelled due to forecasted wet weather.

The project team was set to meet Thursday afternoon – and if cancelled, Abe says TCC would provide more information on potential alternate viewing options.