OT: Waitangi Day (NZ)

[Warrick Bell]

Tuesday, February 4, 2003, 2:00:07 AM, David Howard wrote:

Adp> Lifted from the Official Page: 'Waitangi Day commemorates the signing of a
Adp> treaty at Waitangi on 6 February 1840 by a group of Maori chiefs and the
Adp> British Government, represented by Lieutenant-Governor Hobson. The treaty
Adp> was subsequently signed by other Maori chiefs in various locations
Adp> throughout the country. The question of what obligations the Treaty of
Adp> Waitangi placed on each side has been a subject of contention ever since.'

Further explanation would be that Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of
Waitangi) is the founding document of New Zealand as a country rather
than as a colony in a state of hostile takeover.  Waitangi Day
(formerly New Zealand Day) marks the anniversary of the Treaty's
signing.
As noted above though, the Treaty is contentious and not at all clear
on whom it binds to what.  Waitangi Day is usually marked by protests
by various Maori groups, particularly at the official celebrations at
the meeting house in the village of Waitangi where the document was
signed.

'Waitangi' means "weeping water" but the name comes from a local
stream and has nothing to do with the Treaty itself.

--
Best regards,
 Warrick                            mailto:wjbell at mail2.gis.net