A dawn service will be held on Wednesday February 6 at the base of Mount Drury to commemorate the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi.

A council spokesperson says the dawn service will start at 6.30am with a whakatau by Tauranga Moana Tangata Whenua, followed by a community celebration, speeches and hymns.

'Speakers include local kaumatua, clergy from community church groups, civic leaders and rangatahi speakers from the TUIA Te Here Tangata leadership mentoring programme.

'An open forum will give all participants the opportunity to share their thoughts on Waitangi Day and what it means to them today.

'Kapa haka and musical performances will also feature during the celebration.”

What you need to know about the event:

Road Closures:

Road closures will be in place on Wednesday February 6, from 5am until 8pm on Marine Parade from Grace Avenue to Pacific Avenue.

Accessible parking:

Parking will be available during the dawn service for mobility card holders, kaumatua and kuia and other dignitaries on Marine Parade, within the road closure area. Access the area via Pacific Avenue before 6.30am. The area will be locked from 6.30am until the end of the service at 8.30am.

Dawn service organising committee:

Tauranga City Council 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 the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council to support the service.

Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival 2019:

Carry on the celebrations all day long with He Iwi Kotahi, a collaboration of local organisations, at the Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival 2019.

This two-venue all day event will take place from 10am at Hopukiore Historic Reserve, and at The Historic Village on 17th Avenue. It will feature live music, cultural performances and food stands at both venues, along with art exhibitions and workshops at The Historic Village.

The festival is a koha (donation) event that will go towards supporting local kapa haka group Te Kapa Haka o Ngati Ranginui as they prepare to represent Tauranga at Te Matatini 2019, the biennial national kapa haka festival.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/HeIwiKotahi/