The Treaty of Waitangi is an event that happened 181 years ago between British Representatives and Maori. Every February 6 New Zealand celebrates this event as a national public holiday.
On the Bay of Islands in 1840, over 500 Māori chiefs and the British Representatives had come together to sign what is now known to be New Zealand's founding document.
Being a public holiday, people have their opinions on it. Some see this holiday as a great day to remember the past and to go out and join together with the community. Festivals and showcases are held to commemorate.
Others, however, see this holiday as shameful. They view the remembrance of the many loses New Zealand suffered an embarrassment, some going as far as asking for the holiday to be revoked.I don't have too much of an opinion on whether the holiday should be taken out or not. All I can say is that I understand why people would prefer not to remember such triggering times and why others are happy for the holiday being around.
