"Waitangi Day commemorates the signing of a treaty at Waitangi on 6 February 1840 by a group of Maori chiefs and the British Government, represented by Lieutenant-Governor Hobson. The question of what obligations the Treaty of Waitangi placed on each side has been a subject of contention ever since".
"A private member's bill on a New Zealand Day had been introduced by Matiu Rata in 1971 and, during debate on the new bill, Rata, now Minister of Maori Affairs, indicated the government's intentions: The day, he said, was to be neither 'a symbolic nor religious occasion' but a day for each New Zealander to enjoy as they saw fit." - more here.
So how did you celebrate? Guy and I had an adventure and travelled to Porirua (or P-Town - as Guy refers to it) and played a round of pirate themed mini golf. Awesome. Incidentally Guy narrowly lost by one shot. But Waitangi day was... well... the real winner on the day. The sun was shining, the people were smiling and the 14th Festival of the Elements at Te Rauparaha Park featuring art, crafts, song and dance was on. The treaty bus was there too, it was full of knowledgeable signs and as you all know I have a certain fondness for reading such signs, pity there was no where for a "good sit" to contemplate the knowledge I had just gained.
We visited "The Realm Haitaitai" - surely you've heard the annoying jingle. We then had a few more beers in town. It was the perfect way to enjoy the day as it was originally intended - "as [we] saw fit".
That does sound awesome. Though I did not embark on any adventures, I still had a great day; ending up playing pictionary at the Neason household, with beers and Paul N forced me to arm wrestle an american girl I had never met before to settle a 'who said the answer first' debate. It was uncomfortable for all except the drunken Paul N. But it was an awesome night all the same.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been quite an experience this Waitangi day after your recent visit to the 'birth canal' itself. How are the wrists by the way?
The wrists are improving, according to the Doc I can now undertake a "graduated increase" in keyboard and mouse work. So a max of 3hrs/day.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the question on all of our lips is, who won the arm wrestle?
Well, I won, fo sho. She wasn't a big girl. I felt bad though, cause you know that feeling when you waste someone at something like an arm wrestle or perhaps a game of wanted, cause you're the bomb and they have no chance.
ReplyDeleteI felt badly for her, it was highly unfair.