Spotlight:
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| Waitangi Meeting House |
Why is today called Waitangi Day if it celebrates the founding of New Zealand? On this date in 1840, some 40
Maori chiefs and British Governor
William Hobson gathered in the village of
Waitangi, in the
Bay of Islands, to sign a treaty which gave Britain sovereignty over the land of
New Zealand, while protecting the Maoris' ownership of their lands and treasures. This was called the
Treaty of Waitangi. Over the coming years, the Maori were disappointed with persistent encroachment upon their territory, and
battles ensued. A New Zealand government eventually apologized for violations of the treaty, promising compensation. Today,
Waitangi Day (celebrated on February 6), is considered New Zealand's founding day and is a national holiday. The term Maori means "original people" 原住民 or "local people." It was used to signify the local inhabitants of New Zealand, as opposed to the "
Pakeha," the "new arrivals." When the European settlers came to the area, the word came to mean the Maori people.
Quote:
"New Zealand is not a small country but a large village." —
Peter Jackson
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