Waitangi Day

 Introduction and Origin –  

 

Waitangi Day is New Zealand’s National day. It happens every year on 6th of February a day when New Zealand became a nation. The treaty of Waitangi (New Zealand’s Founding document was signed on this day in 1840) In a house belonging to James Busby at Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands. But the holiday wasn't celebrated officially till 1934 and wasn't a national public holiday until 1974. The name of the holiday has alternated with New Zealand Day a couple times. In 1974 New Zealand celebrated Waitangi Day on February 6th for the first time as a Public Holiday.

 

Ways of celebration –

 

There are a variety of ways in which New Zealand celebrates Waitangi Day. Celebrations take place all across New Zealand cities and Waitangi itself. At Waitangi, commemorations usually begin the day before on 5th February. Live entertainment, Maori food and kite flying are major highlights of this day. Family focussed Events like Picnics, food stalls and live music are planned. During night time, In Auckland Harbour Bridge lights up with 90,000 LED lights, along with Maori imagery and sounds. Folk music and Dance events are held in every city. The people of New Zealand also choose to get involved in cultural or physical activities on Waitangi Day. These include mountain biking, museum trips, and hiking. 

 

How do kids celebrate it?

 

Singing treaty of Waitangi and knowing whole about it is a major part of the celebration for kids, this also includes knowing the history of New Zealand, Eating traditional Maori food, learning cultural dance and song, etc keep kids engaged on Waitangi day . Picnics with friends and family or a visit to a museum are also planned for this day.

 

 

Books on Waitangi Day-

Williams Waitangi day (link)

The treaty in Action (Link)

Waitangi Day (link)

Waitangi: A living treaty (link)

The treaty House (link)

 

 

Gifts on Waitangi Day-

 

New Zealand’s Flag (link)

New Zealand’s Silver fern shot glass (link)

New Zealand silver fern Cap (link)

Maori Tiki plastic salad server (link)

Silver Fern Flag (Link)

 

 

Ways to wish on Waitangi Day-

 

It is day to stand together and celebrate the anniversary of one of the most important day of New Zealand’s history. Wish you a great Waitangi Day.

 

I wish you and your family a calm and peaceful public holiday of Waitangi Day. May you have a memorable day with our loved ones

 

 

On the eve of Waitangi Day, I wish you and your loved ones a great day at the free public festival. I hope you enjoy this day to the fullest.

 

May you celebrate this auspicious occasion of Waitangi Day with nothing but joy and peace in your hear.  Wishing you a great Waitangi Day.

 

 

Let us commemorate a day which teaches us the value of culture and our freedom of land, thoughts, action and faith. Have a great Waitangi Day.

 

Quotes about New Zealand –

Everywhere you turn in New Zealand, there's something exciting to do. It's the gem of the world. It's so far away from the madness, and so you get that element. It was just stunning.- Wes Bentley World

 

I'm from Canada, and New Zealand feels like you took all the best bits of Canada and squished them onto a tiny island like Hawaii. I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of the South Island. Evangeline Lilly

 

New Zealand is a country of thirty thousand million sheep, three million of whom think they are human.- Barry Humphries

 

I'm quite proud of growing up in New Zealand where, from quite early on in primary school, you're learning to count in Maori, Maori mythology and dances and colours and history, and I think that gives a child a really good grounding.-Martin Henderson

 

New Zealand is a place where you can get well.- James Nesbitt