Rotorua visitor attractions will host two Waitangi Day celebrations on Friday.

The city’s official free celebration, Waitangi - Mō Te Arawa O Te Iwi, For The Love Of The People, is being held at Wai Ariki Spa from 10am to 3pm while Te Puia will host a low-cost ticketed event from 9am to 3pm.

The official celebration event started in 2020 and was originally held at Ōhinemutu Village.

But for sustainability reasons given the large crowds that attend - reportedly up to 10,000 last year - the spa has been the new home of the official Waitangi Day celebrations since 2024.

Wai Ariki Spa is a fitting venue for Rotorua's official Waitangi Day event. Photo / File

Wai Ariki Spa general manager Debbie Robertson said Te Paratehoata Marae (Tūnohopū) did a fantastic job of making Mō te aroha o te iwi - For the Love of People a special event.

“The event acknowledges the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, while bringing Māori culture to life - from waiata that resonate across the lakefront, to kai that tells its own story, or hands-on activities that welcome people to engage with te ao Māori in a meaningful way.”

She said it was fitting Wai Ariki Spa hosted the event because it sat on Ngāti Whakaue land and had the large carparking space to cater for the numbers.

“Wai Ariki is honoured to provide the space for this gathering, with the Ngāti Whakaue whenua [land] that it’s hosted on carrying generations of stories, connections and traditions that continue to guide us today.”

Thousands of people attend Waitangi - Mo Te Arawa O Te Iwi, For The Love Of The People celebration in Rotorua last year. Photo / Kelly Makiha

She said the day always proved a powerful way for locals and visitors to experience the spirit of the Rotorua community while learning more about indigenous culture and feeling “part of something bigger”.

A parade of nations will be part of the event, with those taking part gathering outside QE Health at 2.30pm.

Meanwhile, Te Puia is inviting the community to come together for a vibrant and whānau-friendly Waitangi Day celebration in the heart of Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley.

Running from 9am to 3pm, the day will feature a wide range of activities for all ages, including train loop rides past the Pōhutu Geyser, a bouncy castle, face painting, tītī tōrea, cultural performances, New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute demonstrations and a taonga market with more than 20 stallholders. A kai marketplace will also be on site.

For those wanting to deepen their understanding of history, the day includes Te Tiriti o Waitangi wānanga led by respected tohunga Te Waata Cribb, who will provide an opportunity to learn more about tikanga, history and the significance of Te Tiriti.

Last year's Te Puia Waitangi Day event. Photo / Supplied

Te Puia chief executive Tim Cossar said the event was about creating an inclusive and meaningful experience for the community.

“Comments I heard from manuhiri last year included that they liked the vibe, the relaxed atmosphere, the educational elements and the whānau-friendly approach,” he said.

Last year's Te Puia Waitangi Day event. Photo / Supplied

“It’s really important for us at Te Puia to connect with our community in a meaningful way.”

He said the wānanga was an important part of the national discussion about Waitangi and who we were as a nation.

Tickets for Te Puia’s event are $5 for adults, with children free, and are available via Humanitix.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.