2018 Events | 2017 Events | 2016 Events | 2015 Events | 2014 Events
Past Kia Ora DC Kiwis Events
2019 Events
Whanau Day 2019
Sunday, May 26, 2019, at Joseph Hensley Park, Alexandria
The weather slowed us down, but it didn’t stop us. Our rescheduled Whanau Day had a fantastic turnout and was a fun day for the whole family, featuring games and activities for kids and adults, a lolly scramble with lollies straight from NZ, Maori cultural activities, and a sausage sizzle with Kiwi donuts!
Anzac Day 2019
Anzac Day Dawn Service
Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the Korean Veterans War Memorial
Anzac Day Commemorative Church Service
Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the National Cathedral, Washington DC
Anzac Day Happy Hour
Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at Kramer Books & Afterwords in Washington DC
2018 Events
Traditional Hangi
Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Spencerville, MD
We were proud to announce a few major changes to the annual hāngi in 2018. With a brand new location, we were able to host a traditional hāngi cooked in the ground, and a whole day of Kiwi community-building, cultural education and celebration. It was also our first sustainable event with a focus on reducing waste and environmental impact.
The event featured:
- Traditional New Zealand hangi meal of meats, vegetables and salad
- Cold beverages (water and soda)
- Beer and wine available from 2:30pm until it’s gone
- Organized activities for the kids – and the kids-at-heart – including games and face painting
- Musical entertainment from some amazing Kiwi performers
- Networking and socializing with hundreds of local Kiwis in a fun atmosphere and beautiful Maryland location
Kia Ora DC Kiwis went green!
In line with New Zealand’s clean and green image, we worked hard to minimize waste produced at the hangi, following good sustainability practices that minimized our use of plastic, non-recyclable materials. Recycling receptacles were available for plastics, glass and aluminum cans; and composting receptacles for non-meat food waste, paper products, and meat waste/bones.
2017 Events
Annual Kiwi Feast 2017
Saturday, August 25, 2017 at the New Zealand Embassy, in Washington, DC
The Annual Kiwi Feast was our third annual hangi event, and proved that each year just gets bigger and better! With well over 200 tickets sold out in less than a week, we had a strong community turnout and a crazy amount of food and fun. Our brand-new Youth Committee led the kids in games and activities, while the adults sampled New Zealand wines and craft beers at the bar, mingled with new and old friends, and sang and danced to Ram Todd’s dulcet tones.
We’d like to give a huge thank you to our volunteer crew who worked so hard all day to ensure everyone had a great time, and played their part in bringing a delicious taste of home to the community.
Tuku IHO: Living Legacy
Sunday, July 23, 2017 at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC
We were so proud to have the Kiwi community out in force to support this amazing display of Maori culture at the Smithsonian. Over 50 of our members showed up bright and early, mingled and made new friends over coffee and snacks, and enjoyed the day’s opening kapa haka performance together. Inside the museum, we enjoyed Maori art, tattoo and carving demonstrations, kapa haka, and workshops and discussions with the artists and performers. We are so grateful to everyone who came out and showed a warm DC Kiwi welcome to the Tuku Iho performers!
Kia Ora DC Kiwis Annual Whanau Day
Sunday, April 30, 2017 at Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA.
Our annual Whanau Day was a huge success, with a record-breaking number of Kiwis coming out to enjoy a sausage sizzle, classic Kiwi baking, activities including touch rugby and a lolly scramble, and meeting new friends. The Kiwi Kuisine mince & cheese pie sale put a smile on many faces, and every purchase gave a little back to KODC Kiwis – thanks Kiwi Kuisine!
Check out the photo gallery on Facebook!
Anzac Day 2017 – Courtesy of the New Zealand Embassy
Anzac Day 2017 Dawn Service
Tuesday April 25, 2017 at the Korean Veterans War Memorial
Anzac Day 2017 Commemorative Church Service
Tuesday April 25, 2017 at the National Cathedral, Washington DC
Film Fest DC – NZ Film The Patriarch
Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Landmark E Street Cinema
2016 Events
Kiwi Az Holiday Party
Friday, December 2, 2017 at The Black Squirrel, Washington, D.C.
Our free Christmas Happy Hour featured live music from local New Zealand artist Emma G, and New Zealand jewelry by Kiwi Exquisite on sale for those who wanted to get their Christmas shopping out of the way early.
The Rugby Weekend Chicago
November 4 – 5 2016 in Chicago, Illinois
Rugby took over the city of Chicago for a weekend as the All Blacks took on the Irish! Despite the historic loss to Ireland, a fantastic time was had by all as members of Kia Ora USA Kiwis reunited or met for the first time.
Visit the Kia Ora USA Kiwis page to to see photos from the weekend!
Kia Ora DC Kiwis Annual Kiwi Feast
Saturday, September 3, 2016 at the New Zealand Embassy, Washington DC
Our second Annual Kiwi Feast featured a delicious hangi, great New Zealand wines, Kapa Haka performances and plenty of smiling faces!
Check out our photo gallery of the event on Facebook.
Kia Ora DC Kiwis Annual Whanau Day
Sunday, June, 12 2016 at Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA
The second annual Whanau Day was another huge success! With sausages perfectly sizzled, the kids enjoying their lolly scramble and touch rugby games, and enough Kiwi treats to keep everyone smiling, a great day was had by all!
Hunt for the Wilderpeople – Movie Screening
Thursday, June 2, 2016 at the AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, MD
Hokulea Welcoming Ceremony – Kia Ora DC Kiwis Kapa Haka Performance
Sunday, May 15, 2016 in Alexandria, VA
Our Kapa Haka group proudly performed at the Hokulea Welcoming Ceremony. Find out more about the KODC Kiwis Kapa Haka group on Facebook. Learn about the Hokulea Worldwide Voyage here.
Anzac Day 2016
Dawn Service
Monday, April 25, 2016 at the Korean Veterans War Memorial in Washington, DC
Commemorative Church Service
Monday, April 25, 2016 at the National Cathedral, Washington DC
Kia Ora DC Kiwis Happy Hour Anzac Day Weekend
Friday, April 22, 2016 in The Venetian Room at the Hotel Lombardy, Washington, DC
The Dark Horse – Early Film Screening
Friday, April 13, 2016 in Washington, DC
KODC Kiwis were invited to the special early screening of The Dark Horse before it opened to the public.
Kia Ora DC Kiwis First Happy Hour – Waitangi Day Weekend
Friday, February 5, 2016 in The Venetian Room at the Hotel Lombardy, Washington, DC
Gin Wigmore
Sunday, March 27, 2016 at U Street Music Hall, Washington DC
2015 Events
2015 Kia Ora DC Kiwis 1st Annual Hangi
Saturday, September 2015 at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington, DC
Kia Ora DC Kiwis held their first annual hangi (now the Annual Kiwi Feast) in 2015, with the New Zealand Embassy kindly allowing us to use their premises. With great New Zealand wines, a delicious hangi, and amazing home baking, the success of this event ensured the event will continue!
2015 Whanau Day
Sunday, May 31, 2015 at Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA
Anzac Day 2015
Dawn Service
Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the Korean Veterans War Memorial in Washington, DC
Commemorative Church Service
Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC
Anzac Day Social Reception
Women in Military Service for America Memorial
ANZAC Day 2015 was the 100th Anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, and in honor of the occasion, the Australian Washington Association held a number of special events at Arlington National Cemetery.
What We Do in the Shadows, Movie Screening
Friday, February 20, 2015 at Landmark Theater, Washington, DC
Filmfest DC – NZ Film The Dark Horse
Wednesday, April 22, and Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Landmark’Cinema, Washington, DC
Brooke Fraser
Monday, February 9, 2015 at the Black Cat Bar, Washington DC
2014 Events
Discussion For: 2015 Kapa Haka in the Northern Americas
Friday, October 31, 2014 at the Elephant & Castle in Chicago, IL
This Kia Ora DC Kiwis-organized event gave the opportunity to discuss teaching our culture to one another and our children in the Americas.
All Blacks vs USA rugby events
KODC Kiwi-Organized pre & post game meetups
Pre-game celebrations started at 11am in the Beer Garden at Soldier Field. The fun continued after the game with a post-game part at the Elephant & Castle, featuring Kiwi entertainment.
All Blacks vs USA Rugby Match
Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Solider Field, Chicago, IL
Eagles v All Blacks Charity Viewing Party
Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse
Hosted and Sponsored by Potomac Rugby Foundation, this Kia Ora DC Kiwis-supported event was a great opportunity for those who couldn’t make it to Chicago to get together and enjoy the match. Proceeds benefited the Foundation’s Age Grade rugby initiatives and injured rugger awareness campaigns.
First Annual Whanau Day and Fundraising Event
Saturday, October 4, 2015 at Joseph Henley Park, Alexandria, VA
Sponsored by Kiwi Kuisine, this free family event kicked off our now annual Whanau Day tradition. Funds raised were gifted to The Alexandria Rugby Club’s youth program.