A statement from the council said an agreement was reached that the service would proceed as planned, following the January 22 Mount Maunganui landslide<\/a> that killed six people.<\/p>\n Organising committees held \u201ccareful and respectful k\u014drero\u201d with tangata whenua about continuing to hold the dawn service.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a strong acknowledgement that community events, such as the Waitangi Day Dawn Service, play an important role in bringing people together in challenging times,\u201d the statement read. <\/p>\n The Waitangi Day Dawn Service has been observed for more than 50 years<\/a>, and for more than a decade, Tauranga Moana has gathered at Hopukiore.<\/p>\n \u201cA tradition that will continue,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n Proceedings begin at 6.30am with a whakatau from tangata whenua, and the service includes speeches from local kaum\u0101tua (elders), civic leaders, rangatahi (youth) and cultural performances.<\/p>\n The ceremony concludes with a karakia about 8am.<\/p>\n Tauranga City Council head of community hubs, arts, heritage and events Gareth Wallis said the council was working through all upcoming events on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere changes are required, appropriate adjustments will be made, including changes to some event locations.\u201d<\/p>\n Geotechnical advice was provided before Hopukiore reopened, with all safety work, including tree removal and track inspections, completed.<\/p>\n Wallis said the city was \u201cunited in grief\u201d coming to terms with the loss of life following the landslides.<\/p>\n \u201cOur thoughts remain firmly with the families who have lost loved ones, and with everyone affected.<\/p>\n \u201cThe upcoming Waitangi Day Dawn Service will play an important role in bringing people together during this challenging time.\u201d<\/p>\n Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival<\/p>\n The Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival, organised by He Iwi Kotahi Tauranga Moana Charitable Trust, will proceed as planned for its seventh year at the Historic Village.<\/p>\n Organisers said there would be no changes to the schedule, location, or format following the landslides.<\/p>\n He Iwi Kotahi Tauranga Moana Charitable Trust organisers told the Bay of Plenty Times that following recent events, this year\u2019s Waitangi Day Festival<\/a> carried added meaning for the community.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year\u2019s festival is an opportunity for our community to come together in reflection and unity, acknowledging the Mount Maunganui landslide victims and the Welcome Bay Road landslide victims,\u201d organisers said. <\/p>\n The Historic Village will fence off one area identified as a potential risk, following a geotechnical assessment by Tauranga City Council.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s celebrations will include a scheduled acknowledgement and a moment of silence to honour all the people who lost their lives in the recent landslides.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a time to honour those lives lost, to support affected wh\u0101nau and to reaffirm the values of unity, togetherness and collective strength that are at the heart of Waitangi Day,\u201d organisers said.<\/p>\n The festival will run from 10am to 3pm, beginning with a karakia led by local kaum\u0101tua, followed by the Royal New Zealand Navy flag-raising ceremony and singing of the national anthem. <\/p>\n Long-standing supporter of the festival Mabel Wharekawa-Burt will return as MC, and He Iwi Kotahi invited all to enjoy a day centred on unity, culture and connection. <\/p>\n M\u0101ori in the Moana cancelled<\/p>\n Ng\u0101i Te Rangi has cancelled M\u0101ori in the Moana due to the adverse weather events.<\/p>\n Chief executive Paora Stanley said record rainfall in January caused extensive flooding at Whareroa Reserve, where the event would have been held, with most of the grounds underwater.<\/p>\n Floodwaters started to recede last week and the decision was made to call off M\u0101ori in the Moana to prevent further damage to the fields.<\/p>\n Stanley said he also acknowledged the significant natural disasters at Mauao, Ng\u0101peke (Welcome Bay) and the concerns about Mangatawa<\/a> (P\u0101p\u0101moa).<\/p>\n \u201cWe are focused on community wellbeing at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n Stanely said the kaupapa focused on connection, culture, hauora, wh\u0101nau wellbeing and bringing the community together.<\/p>\n Ng\u0101i Te Rangi Iwi Trust said the event would be back in 2027.<\/p>\n \u201cM\u0101ori in the Moana evolved so wh\u0101nau and the wider community could come together to celebrate being M\u0101ori in Tauranga Moana,\u201d Stanley said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is about creating positive wh\u0101nau memories of Waitangi Day, which really resonated with people.\u201d<\/p>\n Te R\u0101 o Waitangi Wh\u0101nau Festival \u2013 Katikati<\/p>\nFor more than a decade the Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day dawn service has gathered at Hopukiore (Mount Drury). Photo \/ Andrew Warner.<\/p>\n
The Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival will proceed as planned. Photo \/ Benjamin Parkinson<\/p>\n
Ng\u0101i Te Rangi chief executive Paora Stanley. Photo \/ Alex Cairns<\/p>\n