What does Waitangi Day mean to New Zealanders?

Every year on 6 February, New Zealand celebrates its national day and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. More than 150 years ago, a contingent from Britain signed our nation’s founding document with over 500 Maori chiefs, making New Zealand part of the British Empire and establishing formally what would become a problematic relationship between European settlers and native Maori.

So, what meaning does the Treaty have in a modern, multicultural New Zealand?

While we celebrate as a nation, we also reflect on what the Treaty means in the 21st century - and how we live together in New Zealand, as Maori and Pakeha. With disagreement over the terms of the Treaty, and even the original translation from English to Maori, tensions have run high for many years. Waitangi Day may be a public holiday and our national day, but it continues to raise important issues: Maori land rights, sovereignty and race relations in New Zealand, to name just a few.

What do you know about Waitangi Day? Do you celebrate our national day? Find out more about about Waitangi Day celebrations in our Articles section.

Image from Flickr.