What is so special about Waitangi Day?
Waitangi Day (Māori: Te Rā o Waitangi), the national day of New Zealand, marks the anniversary of the initial signing – on 6 February 1840 – of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is regarded as the founding document of the nation. Ceremonies take place at Waitangi and elsewhere to commemorate the signing of the treaty.
Why is it called Waitangi?
The Treaty in brief The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand’s founding document. It takes its name from the place in the Bay of Islands where it was first signed, on 6 February 1840. The Treaty is an agreement, in Māori and English, that was made between the British Crown and about 540 Māori rangatira (chiefs).
What Waitangi Day means to me?
Waitangi Day means to me, it kind of brings everyone together, Maori and non-Maori, and we get to share our [Maori] culture. It’s a day that Maori get to celebrate their culture . . . it’s a time we lose our negative names and get to shine on the positive bits of our culture.
How do we celebrate Waitangi Day?
Waitangi Day—February 6, the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (1840)—is considered the country’s national day. Commemorations are centred on Waitangi but are held throughout the country. Public celebrations include Māori ceremonies as well as sporting events, music, and parades.
Why are there two versions of the Treaty of Waitangi?
There were two versions of the Treaty – one in English and one in Māori. They are not exact translations of each other. Those who signed the Treaty brought different experiences and understandings of certain words to the signing.
How long did it take to write the Treaty of Waitangi?
It took four months to collect over 500 signatures. Hobson declared British sovereignty over Aotearoa-New Zealand on 21 May 1840. He did this before consulting the British Government.
What happened Waitangi Day 1840?
Every year on 6 February, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. In that year, representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs signed what is often considered to be New Zealand’s founding document.
How was the Treaty of Waitangi broken?
The land was lost through a combination of private and Government purchases, outright confiscation, and Native Land Court practices that made it difficult for Māori to maintain their land under traditional ownership structures. There were some purchases of Māori land made before the Treaty was signed.
What are the Māori values?
We have distilled five key values that underpin Māori leadership.
- Whakaiti – humility. Whakaiti is a key term in Māori leadership.
- Ko tau rourou and manaakitanga – altruism.
- Whanaungatanga – others.
- Tāria te wā and kaitiakitanga – long-term thinking, guardianship.
- Tikanga Māori – cultural authenticity.
What are the two key principles of the Treaty of Waitangi?
Equity: The principle of equity, which requires the Crown to commit to achieving equitable health outcomes for Māori. Active protection: The principle of active protection, which requires the Crown to act, to the fullest extent practicable, to achieve equitable health outcomes for Māori.
