Hokianga hapu are looking forward to hosting Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae at their treaty commemoration at Mangungu Mission today.

Mission manager Mita Harris says the ceremony was bought forward to accommodate the governor general’s schedule, but locals will also mark the actual anniversary on February 12.

The table on which Lieutenant Governor William Hobson and Hokinaga chiefs signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi is still at the mission and will be used in the ceremony.

Kaumatua Patu Hohepa says the event is rich with historical significance.

" Close to seventy Maori chiefs of Hokianga signed. The largest contingency of signatories anywhere in the country. And he is going across there and he will be the first leftenant governor or governor to go back to Mangungu since we signed. It is a significant time and Hokianga is looking forward to that " says Patu Hohepa

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