Three Katikati teens are excited to perform at Katikati’s second Waitangi Day festival next month, which invites everyone to a free family-friendly event that celebrates Aotearoa New Zealand and acknowledges the country’s past in a positive, inclusive way.

Organised by the Western Bay Museum, Te Rā o Waitangi Whānau Festival (Waitangi Day Family Festival) will take place at the Haiku Reserve from 11am-3pm on February 6.

Tia-Maraea Brown, 18, Manase Uilou, 17, and Inyamoka Toker, 18, make up local band Katikati Trio, who performed at 2025’s inaugural festival.

The trio believe the event is a powerful way to bring Katikati’s diverse cultures together to commemorate the signing of Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi), and to learn more about the history of Aotearoa New Zealand – and each other – in a fun atmosphere.

The event will begin with a mihi (official opening) from kuia and kaumatua of Ngāi Tamawhariua’s Te Rereatukahia Marae.

Cultural acts

From here a diverse line-up of cultural acts will perform – including Katikati College’s kapa haka group Te Kapa o Uretara ki Wharei, Tauranga’s high-energy Cook Islands group, and Katikati’s Indian “loud and bright” cultural group.

Cultural interactive workshops and craft activities will run throughout the day, including poi making, harakeke weaving, and Pasifika lei and crown crafting.

“Last year’s craft tent got slammed so we’ve doubled the space for 2026,” museum manager Paula Gaelic said.

A combined kapa haka group performance from students, aged 5-12, of Ōmokoroa No 1, Ōmokoroa Point, Whakamārama, Pahoia and Te Puna schools will close the day.

“They’re so excited about it, so they’ve been practising during the holidays,” Gaelic said.

Cool covers

Music will be headlined by King Cool, a dynamic powerhouse trio covers band made up of members Ty Gage, David Hikatangata and Kristian Bennett from the Waikato.

The Katikati Trio – of Brown (Ngai Te Rangi iwi, Ngāi Tamawhariua and Tauwhao hapu, Te Rereatukahia and Otawhiwhi marae), Uilou of Pacific Islands heritage, and Toker who is originally from Namibia – return this year after organisers received high praise for their performance at the festival’s 2025 debut.

“The vibe the Katikati Trio give off and the fact that they’re local and they sing songs everybody knows – it was just fantastic,” said Gaelic.

Brown said Katikati Trio had been together three years and honed their craft. “We play lots of covers. Usually, it’s upbeat stuff.”

“We take inspiration from each other’s own personal music tastes and combine this and share it through the group. This makes it more fun and inclusive to ensure we all have a good time,” said Toker.

The wairua

Brown said overall the day was about making sure everyone – of all ages and walks of life – felt comfortable to come along “and to make a start on their journey to embracing Waitangi Day and learning more about our country’s history”.

“It’s just a day of being,” said Brown. “It’s not too heavy,” said Toker. “And this lets people come to their own realisation as to why they’re there. And it’s really lovely [as a performer] that we help people with that.”

“It’s in the moment,” said Gaelic. “With our communities, we make the vibe for the day. Then the wairua (spirit) takes over.”

Te Rā o Waitangi Whānau Festival (Waitangi Day Family Festival) is from 11am-3pm at Haiku Park on Waitangi Day, February 6. For updates check Western Bay Museum’s Facebook page.