Waitangi Day celebrations will be held at Ipswich Central on Saturday, February 7, bringing together Māori-led market stalls, food vendors and performances for a full-day community event.
Lara Tukaroa, a Cook Islander woman and cultural development artist who has worked in Australia for more than 25 years, will MC the celebrations.
Waitangi Day is marked as a day connected to the Treaty of Waitangi and the relationship between Māori and the New Zealand government, and organisers will recognise its meaning while celebrating in Australia.
Ms Tukaroa explained why the day is being recognised in Ipswich.
"The importance of Waitangi is the celebration of Māori people being recognised through government in New Zealand," Ms Tukaroa said.
"It was a time that the government actually recognised Māori people were able to give some of their land back and the Treaty of Waitangi is what holds that.
"We're very fortunate that council get to recognise that over here in Australia, and that they're able to fund it and support it, and we're able to celebrate it here in Australia as well."
Ms Tukaroa said the event was built around Māori business owners and Māori cultural practice, alongside space for other cultures.
"85 per cent of the day is celebrating Māori business owners, Māori artists, Māori carvers, healers, weavers," she said.
"We have to support each other."
She said the stalls and performances were designed to centre Māori business and culture while welcoming others.
"I'm really excited to be a part of this for that reason, that it's, it's genuine, it's authentic, it's about the people. And it's about celebrating other cultures amongst all of that too."
The event will open at 10am with a pōwhiri, followed by official proceedings and a Welcome to Country led by Yuggera Traditional Owner Aaron Ruska.
Performances are set to include kapa haka groups, vocalists, and the Te Moana Nui dance group, with drums, language and song featured on stage.
A fashion showcase led by Naveena will run from 11am, featuring Māori-designed clothing and elements drawn from home.
Bremer High School will also deliver an Indigenous performance as part of the opening program.
Families will have access to the Tamariki Village for children under five, with a dedicated area for breastfeeding.
Elders will have a tent with free tea, coffee and biscuits, and there will be a healing area alongside weaving activities, including making poi and access to traditional massage.
The Ipswich Central celebration will run from 10am on Saturday, February 7, with organisers inviting the wider community to share in the day through food, performance and connection.
