|
Waitangi day is a public holiday celebrated in New Zealand on 6th of February to commemorate the occasion when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. The day is a public holiday for all the New Zealanders.
History
The historic Treaty of Waitangi was signed on 6th February, 1840 in James Busby's House located in the Bay of Islands. Though it was the expected day to sign the treaty was 7th of February, the Maoris after much debate and tussle decided to finalize the entire thing on the 6th of the same month. William Hobson, the Governor, was called and the treaty was signed.
Early Celebrations
Until 1934, this day was not celebrated. Prior to this day all the celebration of New Zealand's founding as a colony was marked on the day of 29th January. This particular day was celebrated as a mark of this special occasion because on this day William Hobson arrived in the Bay of Islands.
In 1932, Governor General Lord Bledisloe and his wife had gifted the run down house of James Busby to the nation. It was finally restored. To make this day and the occasion special celebrations were held in 1934. This however, coincided with the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand. In 1950s, the Waitangi treaty house became the place of annual celebrations which featured as a prominently in the Centennial celebrations in the 1940s. Public Holiday
The Labour Party in 1957 proposed the day to be held as a public holiday. The following years saw talks progressing for declaring Waitangi Day as an alternative to an existing public holiday. In 1963, the Auckland Anniversary Day was finally substituted and the Waitangi day was finally declared as a public holiday. New Zealand Day
I n1971 the Labour party introduced a private members bill, to make the day as a national holiday. The day was proposed to be known as New Zealand's Day and it was believed to be a step that took the nation to the broader concept of nationhood. The reelection in 1975 led to the name being replaced by the old 'Waitangi Day'. But the critics believed that the renaming would simply detract and diminish the gravity of the importance of the occasion. Protests
The day is often protested by the Maori chiefs as it was not free from controversy. Some groups criticize the treaty as 'fraud' and they believed that the treaty should not become a cause for celebrations until it is honored. Celebrations
Celebrations in Waitangi start from 5th of February when several leaders and political dignitaries assemble at the Ngapuhi Te Tii marae. At the dawn the Royal Navy of New Zealand raises the New Zealand flag, Union Jack and the White Ensign at the treaty ground.
The day is also celebrated all throughout New Zealand with great pomp. Public concerts are held in addition to several educational programmes where you can learn about the Maori culture. As the day coincides with the birthday of Bob Marley, reggae music is very popular form of celebrations in the country.
In unite kingdom, the day in being celebrated in recent years. On the Saturdays close to 6th February the Kiwis take part in the pub crawling.
|
