Food and resource gathering will be central themes in South Canterbury as the region celebrates Waitangi Day.
Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre and the Te Aitarakihi Multi Cultural Centre will both open their doors to the public on Wednesday to mark the national anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
Both centres say the day will be a chance to educate people and a chance for families to get together and celebrate.
Te Ana Rock Art Centre guide Wes Home will be on duty during Waitangi Day as the centre opens its doors for a gold coin donation.
At Te Ana, entry to the centre will be by gold coin donation.
Rock art community engagement officer Rachel Solomon and guide Wes Home will be on hand to converse and educate with people coming through the centre. .
The centre has co-ordinated a variety of events for Waitangi Day in previous years including puppet shows, musicals, guided tours at the Opihi Taniwha site near Hanging Rock, and a hangi on the grounds of the Opihi Vineyard Cafe.
"It's an opportunity for people to take advantage of having a look through the centre," Solomon said.
There would be a focus this year on what was happening for Maori in terms of mahika kai (food and resource gathering), Solomon said.
The centre acknowledged Waitangi Day as a partnership between Maori and European, and "a chance to give back to the community", she said.
"We are always encouraging people to come in and have a look."
The centre will be open between 10am and 3pm.
Meanwhile, the Te Aitarakihi Multi Cultural Centre, in Timaru, is set to open its doors to the public with a Waitangi Whānau Day event.
Centre operations manager Deb Whatuira said a variety of entertainment would be on offer including an open mic for anyone keen to sing or speak, rock hunting, face painting, lolly scramble and sausage sizzle.
"It's about coming together, sharing the day and enjoying each other's company.
"It's a day to come together as a wider whanau," Whatuira said.
"Bring your whanau, a picnic lunch and share the day with other whanau at Te Aitarakihi."
The event kicks off at noon.