Facts I knew about Waitangi day
1. At least 13 women and 40 chiefs had signed it. At the end of the year 500 people had signed the peace treaty.
2. The treaty was signed to make british settlers and Maori leave in New Zealand on rules that they both create and agree on.
3. The treaty was made to protect the rights of the Maori. Land, treasures, fishing and other resources.
Different points of view on Waitangi day
New Zealanders are divided on the celebration on Waitangi day. Some call it a day of shame and that we shouldn't celebrate it because it's repeating events that happen every year. Maori call to celebrate the day and for the government to hold up their part of the treaty. Each side has their reasons but I don't think one is better than the other
I think that it is important to remember the day when Maori and British settlers came to an agreement to co exist to a set of rules. But I can understand why some people don't want to celebrate it. Some think of it as a day of shame, where they regret what happened during the Maori and European war. I don't pick sides so my perspective right now is neutral.
It's important to learn about the treaty so people learn about the mistakes of the past, and how pushing one way of life onto another can lead to problems.
