The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is marking the Matariki weekend and the reopening of State Highway 1 with a special open day on Sunday, followed by a week of free entry for New Zealanders from July 6 to July 14, coinciding with the start of school holidays. The closure of State Highway 1 since late February has significantly impacted the Treaty Grounds and other local attractions and businesses in the Bay of Islands.
Ben Dalton, CEO of Waitangi Treaty Grounds, expressed relief at the reopening of the highway, acknowledging the hardships caused by the prolonged closure on visitation and the regional economy, already recovering from Covid lockdowns and Cyclone Gabrielle. He emphasized that Matariki, a culturally and spiritually significant time, is ideal for visiting the birthplace of the nation, offering opportunities for reflection, celebration, and connection.
Free entry during this period includes access to museums, historic sites, Māori cultural experiences, and guided tours. Tania Burt from Northland Inc praised NZTA Waka Kotahi for its efforts in reopening the critical highway and encouraged New Zealanders to explore the region over the long weekend and school holidays. Despite the economic toll of the highway closure, there is optimism about revitalizing tourism in Northland and the Bay of Islands.
Reports indicate that the closure of State Highway 1 cost Northland's economy millions per day, underlining the importance of its reopening for local businesses and tourism.
Does this encourage you to travel North this school holidays? If so be sure to support local businesses such as the Waitangi Grounds
Read the original article from Radio New Zealand here
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