Every year on the 6th of February, New Zealand celebrates a very important day known as… “Waitangi Day” This is the day that signifies a very crucial day of New Zealand’s history.
On the 6th of February 1840, the treaty of waitangi was signed. This event took place in the Bay Of Islands, and consisted of over 500 Maori chiefs and 13 women that signed the treaty. Unfortunately there was a problem with the translation of the treaty. Henry Williams with the help of his son Edward. Could not translate the english side of the treaty into Maori, creating a few words that had a different definition than what they were supposed to have.
On the other hand the british were more than happy that the treaty was signed, as it was an important day for them as well. It was the day of ‘the declaration of british sovereignty’. This meant that Maori were safe from the pakeha taking over their land… But obviously it didn’t, as many years later we began to see the pakeha taking Maori land .
Which is why people have split opinions about celebrating the treaty of waitangi. For example, one person in particular, Paul Holmes has a whole article on the New Zealand Herald saying that Waitangi day is “repugnant”. Repugnant meaning a waste of time, and also he stated the waitangi day seems to bring out the rudeness in people, and also violence.
In contrast to why people shouldn't celebrate waitangi day. There are alot of people who see this day as an important day of New Zealand’s history. For example, it is a day to remember the declaration of the british sovereignty. This means that New Zealand is being protected by british, becoming a british colony, hence the union jack in the top left of the New Zealand flag.
But, despite everything that has been stated. I personally believe that waitangi day will always be an important day, because it helped New Zealand advance in the world, and because it means that, waitangi day was the day that New Zealand had protection.
Should we learn about waitangi day in school? Of course because as previously stated, it is a very crucial day to New Zealand.
