What is Waitangi Day and why do we celebrate it?

Waitangi Day, New Zealand’s national day. Every year on 6 February – Waitangi Day – people of all communities and backgrounds gather at Waitangi to commemorate the first signing of New Zealand’s founding document: Te Tiriti o Waitangi, The Treaty of Waitangi, on 6 February 1840.

What happens on Waitangi Day at Waitangi?

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 is Waitangi Day important to Māori?

For some people, Waitangi Day is a holiday; for many, and especially for Māori, it is the occasion for reflecting on the Treaty. 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.

Why did the British want the Treaty of Waitangi?

Reasons why chiefs signed the treaty included wanting controls on sales of Māori land to Europeans, and on European settlers. They also wanted to trade with Europeans, and believed the new relationship with Britain would stop fighting between tribes.

Is Waitangi weekend a long weekend?

Good news – 2021 is set to be the year of the long weekend. 2021 will see the most Mondayised holidays ever, with both Waitangi Day and Anzac Day falling on weekends. In fact, once you’ve tacked on the weekends, you’ll end up getting a whopping 25 days off out of those 10 stat days, plus your region’s anniversary day.

What problems did the Treaty cause?

Germany lost 10% of its land, all its overseas colonies, 12.5% of its population, 16% of its coal and 48% of its iron industry. There were also the humiliating terms, which made Germany accept blame for the war, limit their armed forces and pay reparations. What do historians think of the Treaty?

What does Waitangi Day mean to me?

The Waitangi Day national holiday celebrates the signing of the treaty of Waitangi on February 6, 1840 by Maori chiefs and the British Crown , that granted the Maori people the rights of British Citizens and ownership of their lands and other properties.

What does Waitangi Day mean to you?

Waitangi Day is a day when normally, if we are lucky, we can feel the sun on us while we spend time outside of work and be grateful for the summer months.

Why do people celebrate Waitangi Day?

Waitangi Day is a public holiday in New Zealand, which celebrates the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. While it is considered as the national day of this country, it isn’t without its controversies. That’s because for some people it is only a holiday but to other people, it’s a day to reflect on the treaty and its effect all this time.

When was first Waitangi Day celebrated?

The Treaty House and grounds were made a public reserve, which was devoted on 6 February 1934. This event is viewed as the first Waitangi Day. The first Waitangi Day was not celebrated until 1934, and it was unveiled as a national public holiday in 1974.