Hundreds of people gathered at Queanbeyan Park to mark Waitangi Day, with lots of food, music and dancing.

The day, usually marked in New Zealand on February 6, commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, an agreement between Maori and the British Crown that made New Zealand into a colony.

Recognition of the day with a festival has been under way in Queambeyan for the past four years.

Organiser of the event Isaac Crocker said it has been growing every year.

“It’s very important that we can come together and celebrate,” he said.

“When you live far away from home, you miss the sounds and the food and just being together.”

As part of the commemorations, Maori dancers and music played a prominent role, with performances throughout the day.

Mr Crocker said Queanbeyan has a large New Zealander community.

"We have a large community of New Zealanders and Maoris living in Queanbeyan and surrounds," he said,

“Today I met a lot of people from New Zealand who I haven’t met before, and I’ve been here for 40 years.”