What was broken can be mended: Waitangi Day celebrations in Ōtaki

What was broken can be mended - that's the belief of Rev. Dr Rangi Nicholson, Priest Assistant at Rangiātea Anglican Church in Ōtaki.  He is, of course, referring to the relationship between Māori and Pākehā, the two peoples brought together by the Treaty partnership signed first at Waitangi nearly 181 years ago. 

Last year saw the first joint Waitangi Day celebration at Rangiātea and All Saints Anglican Churches, Ōtaki.

Mending the brokenness of this relationship is the kaupapa of the upcoming celebrations in Ōtaki, where the two Anglican churches (Tikanga Māori and Tikanga Pākehā) will again come together to sing, worship, talk and be friends together.

The commemorations start with a joint service at Rangiātea Church, before we have a shared kai and a BBQ together and listen to a selection of Christian bands. The picnic will be held on the field that separates Rangiātea and All Saints Churches. The land in the middle is held by the Ōtaki Porirua Trust Board for education purposes. All of the land was gifted to the Anglican Missionaries by Ngā Hapu o Ōtaki. On Te Rā o Waitangi, we come together to acknowledge this shared history, to worship and praise together and to break bread. 

For more information and to promote this in your churches, download this poster.