New Zealand celebrates its 182nd Waitangi Day this February 6, 2022 to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in Manukau between representatives of the British Crown and Māori chiefs.

History

Waitangi Day is celebrated annually every 6th of February to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in Manukau, 1840, between representatives of the British Crown (England and The Queen) and 500 Māori chiefs from various locations throughout the country (Northland Age, 2022).

The Waitangi Treaty is often called the ‘founding document of New Zealand’ and is written in two languages, Māori and English. The Treaty is named after the place in the Bay of Islands, where the treaty was first signed (Twinkl, 2022). The Treaty made New Zealand a part of the British Empire, guaranteed Māori rights to their land and gave Māori the rights of British citizens (Office Holidays, n.d.).

Celebrations

Waitangi Day was first commemorated in 1934; however, it was not declared a public holiday until 1954. It was known as ‘New Zealand Day’ and was changed to ‘Waitangi Day’ in 1976 (Twinkl, 2022). In accordance with the Holiday Act in January 2014, if Waitangi Day falls on a weekend, the following Monday will be observed as a holiday (Office Holidays, n.d.).

Events are held across the country to commemorate Waitangi Day. During Waitangi Day, people of all communities and backgrounds usually gather at Waitangi to take part in the Waitangi Day celebrations (Waitangi, 2022). As part of the celebrations at Waitangi there will be Māori cultural performances and speeches from Māori and New Zealand dignitaries. Furthermore, many festivals and concerts are held in urban centers, while re-enactments of the signing are performed to educate younger people of all cultures are happening throughout the country. Communities in New Zealand also take part in various activities on the day, such as eating hangi (traditional Maori food), kapa haka performances (dances), and tree planting (Twinkl, 2022).

2022 Celebrations

With the country currently in a ‘Red’ traffic light regulations under the COVID-19 protection framework, it will be difficult to safely proceed with the usual Waitangi commemorations. Hence, many of the events will be held online, or through a mix of in-person and virtual delivery. As such the Whānau Community Trust will be moving their free lunch-and-learn seminar on Te Tiriti o Waitangi online. Pounamu Ngai Tahu will also live-stream their Waitangi Day Festival on YouTube so that more people can take part in the celebration. The festival will feature waiata, kapa haka, and guest speakers; such as the international headliners Fat Freddy’s Drop, along with other local Wellington acts: The Nudge, The Baker’s Three, and DJ Magnette (Wellington City Council, 2022).

The virtual Waitangi Day commemorations were filmed at the Treaty Grounds on January 21-22. Photo: Waitangi National Trust. Source: Northland Age. (2022, February 1). Northland iwi chairs support online Waitangi experience. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/news/virtual-waitangi-day-celebrations-for-2022/IRLS5V5OB4T2EXJNUW6XH7B3N4/

Due to the current COVID-19 protection framework being implemented in the country, a virtual version of Waitangi Day commemorations at the Treaty Grounds will take place instead of the usual actual representation. It will be broadcast on TV3 and the iwi radio network (Northland Age, 2022).

On the other hand, Te Anau Waitangi Charitable Trust has organized events that can accommodate smaller groups. The Trust is putting on a week’s worth of free activities, including art competitions, a historic boat cruise on Lake Te Anau, flax weaving and more (Voxy, 2022).

Vector Lights for Waitangi Day 2022. Photo: Bryan Lowe. Source: OurAuckland. (2022). Vector Lights for Waitangi Day 2022. OurAuckland. https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2022/02/vector-lights-for-waitangi-day-2022/

The Vector Lights at the Auckland Harbour Bridge will still take place on February 3-7, 2022 at 9pm-11:59pm. Since Auckland is currently at ‘Red’ traffic light regulations under the COVID-19 protection framework, audiences are reminded to maintain a 1m-distance and wear a face mask while watching the show.

The Vector Lights is part of a smart energy partnership between Vector, Auckland Council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, the guiding light toward a smart energy future. The Vector Lights tells the story of this years’ iwi manaaki (host iwi), Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and their migration to Tāmaki Makaurau. It portrays the pepeha (tribal lineage) origins of the iwi, who travelled from the islands in a waka hourua (double hulled canoe) and made landfall in Aotearoa (OurAuckland, 2022).

References:

  • Northland Age. (2022, February 1). Northland iwi chairs support online Waitangi experience. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/news/virtual-waitangi-day-celebrations-for-2022/IRLS5V5OB4T2EXJNUW6XH7B3N4/
  • Office Holidays. (n.d.). Waitangi Day in New Zealand in 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022, from https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/new-zealand/waitangi-day
  • OurAuckland. (2022). Vector Lights for Waitangi Day 2022. OurAuckland. https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2022/02/vector-lights-for-waitangi-day-2022/
  • Twinkl. (2022). Waitangi Day. Twinkl. https://www.twinkl.com.ph/event/waitangi-or-new-zealand-day-2022
  • Voxy. (2022, February 3). Government fund supports Waitangi Day 2022 commemorations - Culture and Heritage. Voxy.co.nz. http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/5/398260
  • Waitangi. (2022). Waitangi Day 2022. Waitangi. https://www.waitangi.org.nz/whats-on/waitangi-day/
  • Wellington City Council. (2022, February 3). Commemorate Waitangi Day online in the capital this weekend. Wellington City Council. https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/news-and-information/our-wellington/2022/02/waitangi-events-online