Today we went to the Waitangi Treaty Ground to celebrate Waitangi Day. We decided to give the dawn raising of the flag a miss as it is over an hour drive from Marsden Cove Marina and thought that heavy traffic might make it even longer. As it turned out traffic was negligible until we reached Pahia. The grounds were closed to parking and no spaces in town but people had opened up their front gardens and were charging $10 so there were no problems finding a space for the car. Other houses had dug Hangi pits and were selling traditional food or cold drinks.
Waitangi Day is the national day of New Zealand, and commemorates the signing, on 6 February 1840, of the Treaty of Waitangi. Ceremonies take place all over New Zealand to commemorate the signing of the treaty, which is regarded as New Zealand's founding document. The day is a public holiday, was first celebrated in 1934 (although not a public holiday then). The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on 6 February 1840 on the grounds of James Busby's house--now known as Treaty House--at Waitangi. The treaty was signed by representatives acting on behalf of the British Government and, initially, more than 40 Māori chiefs. It guaranteed British sovereignty over the islands of New Zealand, which was officially proclaimed on 21 May 1840.
We arrived just in time to watch the ceremony of launching the Waka (war canoes). The Ngatokimatawhaorua, one of the world's largest Māori ceremonial waka (war canoe), sits on the grounds at Waitangi. The 70-year-old waka was refurbished and relaunched for the 170th celebrations in 2010. Each February, Ngatokimatawhaorua must be prepared for its Waitangi Day outing prior to the big event. Made from massive trunks of New Zealand's giant kauri trees, the gigantic waka - which weighs an incredible six tonne when dry - must first be moved by human force across the Treaty grounds and down to the sea. It is then moored in the water for up to two days allowing the wood to swell and become airtight, doubling the weight. I'm not too sure how effective the process is, may be airtight but from the frantic activity of the boys who were bailing it is not watertight! (see photos). It carries 80 paddlers and 55 passengers.
Māori cultural performances, speeches from Māori and Pakeha (European) dignitaries are found at various locations over the Treaty grounds. There are pleasant walks all around but the Museum and Treaty House were closed for the Day. There were also numerous stalls selling food (including melon and pineapple hollowed out and filled with chopped fruit and ice cream), jewellery, T shirts and traditional crafts. The naval 21 gun salute was a bit of a let down, you could hardly hear it and there was only a tiny puff of smoke.
We had a great day and we were lucky with the weather (I was glad I had taken my ancient Cuba Sun Hat),I would like to have spent more time looking at the jewellery and crafts but Chris does not like ferreting around stalls and by the time we walked through the area they were packing up although we did manage to get a melon with ice cream.
You can join in the fun at home as there are Waitangi Day celebrations around the world, in London there is a Waitangi Day Ball, cultural entertainment, a church service and a pub crawl using the London Underground Circle Line which takes place on closest Saturday to 6th February.

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