'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 Maori chiefs signed what is 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, Waitangi Day is a holiday; for many, and especially for Maori, it is the occasion for reflecting on the Treaty. Since the 1970s 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 recognised as New Zealand's national day, and 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.'
Taken from NZ History Online
The treaty of Waitangi is significant to our family as my Great Great Grandfather was one of the signatories of the treaty, and another great great Grandfather and a Great grandfather were present on the day and witnessed this historical event.
2 comments:
Very interesting post, your country seems young compared to mine.
What's the current percentage of the population that is Maori?
According to the 2006 census, 565,329 people identified themselves as being Maori.
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