New Zealand Day
September 28th, 2005 at 4:20 pm by David FarrarLewis Holden notes that yesterday was Dominion Day. Like Lewis I strongly favour that we should have a
Lewis Holden notes that yesterday was Dominion Day. Like Lewis I strongly favour that we should have a
September 28th, 2005 at 5:19 pm
The Irish and the French, sure. But the Aussies and Americans are the reverse of us – they’re celebrating white settlement of their countries without any local version of Waitangi Day, and there’s something gross about watching them do that.
Vote:September 28th, 2005 at 7:08 pm
Gosh another public holiday what will the Business Round Table, Chamber of Commerce etc etc
Vote:think of that??
September 28th, 2005 at 7:28 pm
Ok, who’s the first to suggest it is called National Day?
DOH!!!!!!!!!
Vote:September 29th, 2005 at 5:56 am
I lived in Australia for five years and never found ‘Australia Day’ to be a ‘true celebration’. As for Psycho Milt’s comment about July 4th being a celebration of white settlement I think he should read his history books.
P.S Do you really need another holiday? Waitangi Day will do me. I actually think it makes us different and is something to be proud of and worthy of celebration. We’re on a journey and Waitangi Day should remind us that it’s not a bad journey to be on.
Vote:September 29th, 2005 at 9:58 am
If we declare a republic, we could celebrate its founding…
Vote:September 29th, 2005 at 10:32 am
I find it sad that you can’t celebrate Waitangi Day. Most of my friends and I make a holiday of it and think about the good things that come with being Kiwis. Maybe instead of trying to sweep the past under the carpet, you and yours should come to grips with it so you are able to move on?
Vote:September 29th, 2005 at 11:54 am
Cough cough, get to grips with it and move on? thats rich coming from a lefty, perhaps you should tell that to the people who do all the protesting on waitangi day.
A long weekend or oneday holiday some time between queens birthday and labour weekend would break up the winter months nicely. Would anyone object to having it on july the forth? just asking.
Vote:September 29th, 2005 at 1:33 pm
Jordon – it’s not about ‘coming to grips’ with Waitangi Day IMHO, it’s about emphasising that Waitangi Day should fundamentally be a day of reflection on the historical significance of the Treaty. Currently Waitangi Day aims to be both the latter and a national holiday, and acheives neither. That’s why we should have a separate national holiday.
Vote:September 29th, 2005 at 2:50 pm
“We and ours” have moved on Jordan. In fact we have moved on so much that we couldn’t give a rat’s a__e about it.
Vote:September 29th, 2005 at 3:38 pm
I guess Waitangi day is when NZ effectively became a colony of Britain and Dominion day is when we ceased to be a colony and had full sovereignty in the NZ Parliament except we remain part of the British Crown. Once we become a republic then I think we can make that our National day and celebrate that and finally drop Waitangi day as we have already dropped Dominion day.
Vote:September 29th, 2005 at 4:34 pm
Tim: the ToW is the only document Pakeha can point to that renders us something other than invaders and usurpers in NZ. As such it’s the nearest we’ve got to a founding document and a worthy focus for a national day. A new day to celebrate becoming a republic would only make some sense if we weren’t already a de facto republic. What successful overcoming of the odds would we commemorate with such a day? The terrible struggle to persuade citizens of the need to actually come out and vote in a referendum about it? The commemorative statues would be awe-inspiring, I’m sure. Best to stick with what we’ve already got.
Now that I think about it, the very concept of national days is nationalistic bollocks for compulsive flag-saluters and anthem-singers, so perhaps Mark is right – why give a rat’s arse about it. Get rid of Waitangi Day, call February 6 Lazy Bastards’ Day Off Day and make everybody happy.
Vote:September 29th, 2005 at 4:50 pm
I think we first need to install patriotism in the populace and yes that should include flag-raising and anthem singing before any of that can happen we must be equal with no special treatment to those who have an aboriginal bloodline. That was National’s major plank and should not be resiled from.
Vote:September 29th, 2005 at 5:42 pm
I’m with you Baxter,but I have a few concerns.On a “National” day who,in this small Country of differing and often clashing cultures,would be able to happily raise one flag in unison and agreement with the NZ way?Come to think of it,what is the NZ way anymore?
Vote:September 29th, 2005 at 7:06 pm
Mara – that is exactly the problem.
Personally, waitangi day means nothing to me and most people I know.
As far as I’m concerned ANZAC day is New Zealand’s national day.
Vote:October 5th, 2005 at 2:59 am
The theory that new Zealand became independant on September 26 1907 is a myth, It was Actually November 25 1947 with the government ratifying the statute of westminster, i quite frankly wonder why ‘November 25′ isnt a national holiday.
February 6 – the day our country was born is always marred with protests, ANZAC Day only honours our war dead. Queens Birthday just celebrates British Imperialism and has shit all to do with New Zealand and ‘Dominion Day’ – until last year i didnt know it ever existed as a “day of observance” November 25 is when our govt told the english “we are responsible to run our own affairs so bye-bye mum” so lets make that day a national holiday that makes us proud to be kiwis.
Vote: