What is WAITANGI DAY for us.....
Every year on the 6th of February, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. In that year, representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Maori chiefs signed what is often considered to be New Zealand’s founding document. The day was first officially commemorated in 1934, and it has been a
public holiday since 1974
For some people, Waitan
gi day is a holiday. For many & especially for Maori, it is the occasion for reflecting on the Treaty. Since the 1970’s the style and mood of the commemorations on Waitangi Day have been influenced by the increasingly heated debate surrounding the place of the Treaty in modern
New Zealand
Waitangi Day is recognized as New Zealand’s national day, but the longstanding tensions associated with it are always likely to surface in one form or another. The date is an important marker in the country’s history. Recognition of the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi as the nation’s founding document will continue to encourage leaders, communities and individuals to mark the day in new ways. For us NZers in South Australia it is a day we can we can come together as one people and enjoy the day together though the means of sport, food and just sweet as company.
