One of New Zealand’s most senior jurists and a leading Tauranga historian will headline a series of public events in the city tomorrow marking 200 years since missionary Henry Williams first visited Tauranga Moana.

The June 25 bicentenary commemorations will bring together iwi, church leaders and the wider community to reflect on early Māori–missionary relationships and the ongoing relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, event organisers said.

Supported by local iwi, Otamataha Trust, the New Zealand Church Missionary Society and the Anglican Church, the programme spans three events across the city: a dawn mihimihi and karakia at Otamataha Pā, a sold-out midday lecture at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga, and an evening symposium at Holy Trinity Tauranga.

The day will begin at 7am with a whakatau from mana whenua Ngāti Tapu and Ngāi Tamarāwaho, followed by karakia led by Bishop Andrew Hedge, Archdeacon Ngira Simmonds and Sir David Moxon.

Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale is also expected to speak.

Representatives from across the motu will attend, including a rōpū from Ngāti Hauā and kaumātua from Waitangi Ngāti Kawa Taituha.

At 1pm, historian Dr Sam Carpenter will present a lecture titled “Henry Williams: Envoy of Peace to Tauranga Moana”, examining the missionary’s early visits and his influence on relationships between Māori, settlers and the church in the region.

The evening symposium, “Waitangi: A Treaty of Hope”, will feature Supreme Court Justice Sir Joe Williams and Tauranga-based historian, theologian and farmer Dr Alistair Reese.

Sir Joe Williams, New Zealand’s first Māori Supreme Court judge and a former chairman of the Waitangi Tribunal, said engaging with Te Tiriti remains essential to understanding the country’s direction.

“Engaging honestly with its history helps us better understand who we are and where we are heading,” he said.

Reese said the bicentenary provides an opportunity to reflect on relationships that continue to shape Tauranga Moana.

“History is not distant. It is lived through the relationships we continue to build today,” he said.

The symposium will also include speeches from student competition winners in English and te reo Māori, with a kapa haka performance from Bethlehem College.

While the midday lecture has reached capacity, tickets remain available for the evening event.

What, where, when

What: Bicentenary events marking 200 years since Henry Williams’ first visit to Tauranga Moana

Where: Mihimihi/Karakia, Otamataha Pā, Cliff Rd, 7am.

Dr Samuel Carpenter lecture, 1pm (sold out) The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga.

Symposium: Waitangi: A Treaty of Hope, Holy Trinity Tauranga, 7pm.

When: Thursday, June 25