Young and old flock to Waitangi day event

Hamilton celebrated Waitangi day with live music, face-painting and bouncy castles.

Organisers estimated more than 1000 people joined in the day's events, with people of all ages soaking up the sun at the Enderley Community Centre.

Project co-ordinator, Roma Balzer, said it was a day for family and friends.

"In the past the Runanga [Te Runanga o Kirikiriro] has had quite large city-wide events at the lake, but council restrictions meant we had to stop doing them. This year we decided, because we can't have one big event, each year we will move from suburb to suburb."

Te Runanga o Kirikiriro have worked with a few different organisations in the last five weeks to get the event rolling.

"It's just a day for families to come and have a safe place for kids to be playing. The focus is on entertaining our children and entertaining the families with music and that."

There were 50 volunteers there to help and the food stalls were subsidised so nobody missed out.

"It's really lovely being out there by the music and looking back and watching the people just enjoying a free afternoon out. It's really, really important for families to have nice memories."

Colourful stilt-walkers towered over the crowd, while artist Dallas Mihinui spent four hours spray painting a mural for the Enderley Community Centre.

"It's just something to represent Enderley and teach people there is a positive aspect to street and graffiti art."

Hamilton East MP David Bennett, also made an appearance before spending the day with his family.

"The Runanga has put on a pretty great show for everybody and it's good to recognise the importance of the Treaty, especially to our communities."