Celebration for N.Z. Day

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33447, 31 January 1974, Page 5

Celebration for N.Z. Day

Maori groups in Ashburton are combining to stage a number of events celebrating New Zealand Day, which will be observed next month as a national holiday.

A history of the events leading to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, its contents, and a Maori translation will be published. This is one of the major projects by the Hakatere Marae Youth Club, the Marae committee, and the Maori Women’s Welfare League. More than 200 members and visitors from many South Island centres are expected to take part in the celebrations. These will begin at the youth club’s marae in Fairton with a traditional Maori challenge to special guests, including leading members of the South Island Maori community.

A short re-enactment of the signing of the treaty will be followed by Maori action songs by members of the club who will appear in full Maori dress.

Earlier in the afternoon, craft exhibits made by members of the two organisations will be displayed in the marae. They will include flax weaving, and tailico, which is woven work made with macrame and knitting silk, wood carving, tuku tuku wall panelling. A demonstration of Maori children’s games will also be staged.

The Hakatere Marae Youth Club and Marae committee has more than 60 members, about 40 of whom are active, representing nearly all the Maori population in the Ashburton county. Research into early New Zealand history and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi has been prepared by Mr T. Colbedick.

Mr Colbedick says the treaty has tended to mean whatever the textbook or individual wishes it to mean. The people who put their mark or name to it were if not ignorant, uncertain of its meaning. “It has become the symbol, to many, of pakeha self-righteousness and Maori disillusionment.”

“Lip service and ceremony continues to its spirit and promises, agitation continues for its legitimation or replacement,” he said.

Perhaps the widespread opinion for replacement by a declaration of a bond between the two main peoples of New Zealand, incorporating the best of intentions of the treaty and the best of expectations for the future, was the best answer, keeping February 6 as New Zealand Day in celebration, Mr Colbedick said.