Waitangi Day
For those who are unaware, the significant date marks 176 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, when representatives of the British Crown met with more than 500 Maori chiefs in Waitangi, Northland, to sign what is considered to be New Zealand’s founding document.
Each year in Tauranga, local kaumatua and kuia (elders), supported by rangatahi (young people) and clergy from community church groups, have joined together on Waitangi Day for a dawn service.
In some places around New Zealand, other re-enactments are done as a form of education to younger people of all heritages. Festivals and concerts dominate some centres, and the remaining people tend to soak up the summer weather along the many beaches of New Zealand.
On 6 February, at dawn, a service with a haka (Maori ancestral dance) will be performed at Mount Drury, NZ.
The service starts with a karakia (blessing) by tangata whenua (people of the land) followed by a community service and open forum, giving participants an opportunity to share their thoughts about Waitangi Day.
Click on images to enlarge.
####################################################################################
New Zealand Military Humor –
####################################################################################
Posted on February 5, 2016, in Current News, Home Front and tagged family history, History, holidays, Home Front, Maori, Military, New Zealand, Tributes. Bookmark the permalink. 69 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
Those soldiers dont had a comfortable life.
LikeLike
No, they certainly do not, MaryLou. Frankly, I do not know how they survived!
LikeLike
Thanks for posting about Waitangi Day. When I look at the colonisation of other countries, I am grateful that we have the Treaty, but of course it is not without problems. Maori and English translations and interpretations of the text vary and it has taken a long time for wrongs perpetrated by settlers in the name of the Treaty to be righted. We have a Waitangi Tribunal which has been hearing grievances of Maori iwi (nations) and compensating for the land which was taken from Maori in the 19th century. Nga mihi nui.
LikeLike
Now, that is great to hear! You have such a beautiful country and nice people – enjoy your 3-day weekend, Su!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
New Zealand is one of my favorite places. The Maori culture is quite interesting, the people friendly, and the country drop dead gorgeous. Thanks GP. –Curt
LikeLike
I know it’s on my bucket list!!
LikeLike
Ever so well-worth the trip, GP. –Curt
LikeLike
Thanks.
LikeLike
An interesting post of history.
LikeLike
Thank you, MaryLou (or do you prefer just Lou?)
LikeLike
Reblogged this on KCJones.
LikeLike
Thank you, Penny. I think it is a wonderful tradition. I hope your readers enjoy it as well.
LikeLike
I have never participated in a reenactment but I like the idea of educating young people about traditional rituals.
LikeLike
I have always thought a reenactment shows rather than tells story and is a fantastic way to teach!! I have never been in one either; now that I think of it, I’ve never heard of any group around here that does one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They were preparing for one when we visited Gettysburg but it wasn’t scheduled until after we left.
LikeLike
That’s a shame. Gettysburg would have been a large reenactment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We saw done scout troops that looked like they were going to participate.
LikeLike
Very good to hear!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well timed, GP. Our NZ daughter-in-law is visiting today
LikeLike
I hope she approves!! Give her my best, Derrick, and you all have a great visit!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She did and says ‘thanks’ too
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am looking forward to my Monday off too 😀
LikeLike
Glad to hear it – any plans?
LikeLike
Doing up a bathroom, not my favourite passtime but its gotta be done..
LikeLike
And you will have the satisfaction of it finally getting done!!
LikeLike
Yep, and having a shower, you might even get a hint of it over there 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, how kind of you, GP, to remember us. Our lovely Governor General has officially opened the new Museum of Waitangi. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11584745 I hope I will be able to visit it one day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is my honor, Ann! Thank you for this great addition to the post. Hopefully everyone will take a peek at the new museum! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank for a great post on the founding document of NZ! Such a treaty would have done a lot of good here in Canada. Such foresight unfortunately was not present here at the time of the founding nation..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean, Peter. The US also has a horrible history of dealing with our Native Americans.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wondering here if the military would have seen ceremonies like this while they were in New Zealand. It seemed to have a lot of war activity. I’m guessing they have held these services for many, many years.
LikeLike
I’m afraid I really don’t know the answer to that one, Bev. Matthew Wright, our resident NZ author, would have a much better idea.
LikeLike
I thought the woman in the bottom photo looked familiar – did a google search and yes – that’s former first lady Laura Bush.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to know, thanks. (she looks a bit befuddled).
LikeLike
A reporter asked why she did not flinch when during the haka. Apparently there are a lot of immigrants from Tonga in her home town in Texas, so she was already familiar with the tradition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for looking into that.
LikeLike
Fascinating and I have been there which makes it more so. Informative. Thank you for posting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very welcome, Cindy.
LikeLike
Another indigenous people that we ripped off in the name of civilisation. The Victorians have a lot to answer for, GP.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every country has had blots in their history – we need to remember and move on to make sure it doesn’t happen again – not like here lately where people feel that erasing the history is better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Took awhile but found it the tauranga sheet was signed 10 of April -23 of May by 21 chiefs. 🙂
LikeLike
On Feb 6 only 43 head chiefs signed their names or moko in the presence of 500 or so of their lessers. They then took other copies around nz to get other chiefs to sign. It took till well into early July to get 240 chiefs to sign it.
There is 9 copies that went round the country gathering the other signatures to Total in all 544.
So really we need more holidays 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has always surprised me that Waitangi Day and ANZAC are basically the only 2 celebrated in your area. I should think your military that protects your way of life would deserve more, don’t you?
LikeLike
No, we should find a way so that peace can exist without war. I know I’m delusional but still that would be a day to celebrate. 🙂
LikeLike
THAT would be the very best day – but it doesn’t seem to be in human’s nature to do so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In Australia, Australia Day is to celebrate our country and way of life but has grown more divisive over the years. It saddens me but I can see certain points of view. I don’t care if they change the date as long as we then truly resolve to come together as one. ANZAC Day is about remembering the fallen. That one day is good enough for me. However I would like to see the many people who wrap themselves in the flag that day actually think of veterans the rest of the year. It’s become this big show rather than a solemn tribute. That being said money is raised and workplaces are stopped on Remembrance Day as well. I’d be interested to know if Waitangi Day is divisive or celebratory for most NZers.
LikeLike
I know exactly what you’re saying for the veterans after ANZAC Day has passed – it’s quite similar here. Our calendars are filled with days honoring one event or people or another, but then out of sight – out of mind.
As far as I know, Waitangi Day is an important one for New Zealanders, but I would like a resident of that nation to reply to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yeah very important but I wonder if divisive? It was a different set of circumstances to Australia day but…
LikeLike
I think only a New Zealander should answer that, don’t you? I really don’t feel qualified.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed.
LikeLike
A haka is more than a dance. It is deeply woven into Maori culture and is used for many purposes; a challenge, an assertion, and to honour those who have earned respect. There are many different haka – the one used by the All Blacks is the most famous, written by Te Rauparaha, but there are others. The New Zealand Defence Forces have their own. Here’s a video of 2/1 RNZIR Battalion, honouring a comrade who fell fighting in Afghanistan, with their unit haka. It’s incredibly powerful:
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are quite right, Matt, and I should have put in a more detailed explanation or link to such a site. This particular video I have seen before and have been hoping to fit it into the blog here somehow, and I watched it again in honor of the fallen NZ soldiers. Thank you for including it here. It is a powerfully emotional recording.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have taught me something new! Thanks for sharing Gail!
LikeLike
I taught you? That’s quite a compliment, Tim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Are you kidding! I learn something new every time I visit. Love your site.
LikeLike
Now I’m getting a big head, Tim. 🙄 But I really appreciate the encouragement!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know about a big head, but such a large number of followers says a lot about what an excellent blog you have.
LikeLike
Thank you. I do try to get back to everyone that appears interested in the site and to be meticulous in my posts, as much as my ‘swiss-cheese’ brain allows! Have a great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
I like the comments also.
LikeLike
I’m glad you read them.
LikeLike
Not all of them. Only when I read the post for the first time.
LikeLike
I have had a lot more people contributing links with info lately.
LikeLike
I spent a few years on and off in Waiouru. It’s interesting to observe that in the fifties the whole region was brown tussock grass, nary a tree nowhere … today it’s more lush green grass, trees abound and visitors could be excused for wondering why that main highway is called the ‘Desert Road’. (We also got real snow back in those days … Global Warming has a lot to answer for). 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Global warming is Nature’s answer to our screwing up! (IMO) Thanks for the info on Waiouru.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And we get next Monday off because it falls on a Saturday!!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Have fun, Bruce!!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Pingback: The Final Cavalry Charge Commander freed | Pacific Paratrooper
Pingback: September 1944 (3) – CBI Roundup | Pacific Paratrooper