Crowds flock to NZ food and dance

Cook Island performance

More than 32,000 people marked New Zealand’s national day at Dandenong Market.
Waitangi Day falls on 6 February, the day the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 to make New Zealand a part of the British Empire, guarantee Maori rights to their land and give Maoris the rights of British subjects.
The market celebrated the day on Sunday 11 February with traditional New Zealand and Pacific street food, live performances and free ta moko face painting.
Te Hononga O Nga Iwi presented a traditional kapa haka performance and Te Ara Hononga demonstrated mau rakau martial arts.
Visitors watched traditional Cook Islands dances, music performances from Soul Purpose Band and Brand New Bag.