After being welcomed onto the Tiriti O Waitangi marae, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Norman Kirk answered criticism from local elders over the name change from ‘Waitangi Day’ to ‘New Zealand Day’. First New Zealand Day At Waitangi The Prime Minister presents the Red Ensign to the marae Speaking at the conclusion of the ‘Aotearoa’ pageant, depicting in two hours the history of New Zealand from the arrival of the first canoe until the present day. Her Majesty the Queen said, ‘Mr Prime Minister, this place has many happy memories for me. I have visited it each time I have been in New Zealand and I am particularly glad to be here, with my family, on this historic occasion.