The Treaty has not always been celebrated with a national holiday, and achieving its full status as a true partnership between Maori and pakeha has seen strains in the relationship. But while the history of the day is a chequered one, and the issues surrounding the document it commemorates have been at times divisive, the country moves on. Waitangi Day has become a time for mid-summer community activity and family fun.
Cities, towns and districts around the country have their own way of marking the day, mostly in striking contrast to the formal ceremony at Waitangi, where it all began.
Commemoration at Waitangi
Official Waitangi Day commemorations started with a dawn karakia (prayer), followed later by an interdenominational church service. Formalities included the traditional presence of the Royal New Zealand Navy, honouring the flag, speeches and cultural performances.
2010 at Waitangi was designated the year of the waka (war canoe) to celebrate the restoration of Ngatoki-mata-whao-rua, the world’s largest waka. Up to 30 of these craft provided a spectacular sight as their crews paraded the flotilla across the bay. Other less formal events included team sports, a beachfront concert and produce market, all bringing thousands to Waitangi for what is the historic venue’s most important day of the year.
In the South Island, the Governor-General gave his Waitangi Day address outside of Government House for the first time when he represented the Queen at Onuku Marae, Akaroa.
Waitangi Day Around New Zealand
Events take place up and down the country to celebrate New Zealand’s nationhood. A regular theme is bi-culturalism, inclusive in its scope by also reflecting the country’s multicultural mix through the multitude of activities organised.
In the Auckland region, 40,000 people were expected at Barry Curtis Park in Manukau City for a day of fun and entertainment, themed as celebrating family diversity. The Wairarapa city of Masterton held its annual Waitangi Day Origins Festival with food and entertainment from all over the world, while the biggest event of the day in the Wellington area was Porirua’s long-running Festival of the Elements.
A common thread in these and many other events of the day is the ethnic and cultural diversity of the local communities.
The Canterbury town of Kaiapoi used the Waimakariri River as the focal point for its celebrations, while nearby Willowbank Wildlife Reserve was the setting for the Belfast community event. Rotorua’s official event took place at Whakarewarewa Thermal Village. People on the Chatham Islands attended a beach picnic that included a re-enactment of the treaty signing, and in Buller activities included a native tree planting.
Great New Zealand pastimes are interwoven into the Waitangi Day holiday. 2010 does not bring a long weekend as Waitangi Day falls on a Saturday, but sporting organisations still use it to spotlight major summer events. In Hamilton, the Waikato Racing Club promotes its Waitangi Day race meeting with a focus on the family. Waitangi Day’s name is attached to volleyball in Christchurch, rugby in Te Hana, and numerous golf tournaments around the country.
Government Support for Waitangi Day Activities
Through the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Waitangi Day events throughout New Zealand are supported with grants from the Waitangi Day Fund. In 2010, $276,500 was distributed among 77 organisations to help finance their programmes, making the day for the most part free and accessible to all. The Fund’s purpose is to support events that commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and promote both nation and community building. It specifically encourages applications from councils and communities planning events in partnership with the local tangata whenua and involving the wide community.
Waitangi Day in Australia and Around the World
With around a million New Zealanders living overseas, half them in Australia, it’s not surprising that Waitangi Day is celebrated globally. Most events are small, but some larger public events have become established on local calendars. On Queensland’s Gold Coast, 10,000 people attend a family fun day of food, entertainment, music and activities just as they might across the Tasman (but this year one day later, on Sunday 7th).
Events also take place each year in Sydney, Perth and elsewhere in Australia. In London a contrast in styles is obvious as a Waitangi Day Ball and a pub-crawl traditionally occur. Much of the international Waitangi Day activity centers around New Zealand’s overseas missions and the membership of KEA – Kiwi Expats Abroad.
Waitangi Day still sees some controversy, but opinion is that New Zealand has long since come of age as a nation and what’s unique about the country should be celebrated. The public commitment and goodwill shown on this special occasion indicate that joyful celebration is overwhelmingly now the Waitangi Day cause.
New Zealand Public Holidays 2010
Brian Cross - Brian is a feelance writer specialising in content for the corporate sector, based in Wellington, New Zealand.
Join the Conversation