Waitangi Day in New Zealand

Māori Cultural Performance

One of the observances held on the country’s Waitangi Day is the Maori cultural performance. These performances highlight several activities. The wero which means ‘to cast a spear’, is a traditional Māori challenge, and is one of these activities. Wero is an activity done before the guests can enter the marae (Māori meeting house). In this activity, the Maori warriors wield weapons and lay down a challenge towards the guests; an act done to test the visitor’s/guest’s intentions and ensure that they come in peace. This is usually followed by a pōwhiri. A pōwhiri is a ceremonial welcome held at the marae (meeting grounds). The ceremony is observed with speeches coming from both the Maori (native New Zealanders) and the Pakeha (non-Maori) dignitaries. To end this ceremony, a hongi is typically done between the guests and the Maori hosts. A ‘hongi’ is a traditional Maori greeting wherein people press their noses together. Once the pōwhiri is over, a kai which is a traditional Māori cuisine is also shared among the people.

Besides wero and pōwhiri, the Māori cultural performance also offers other entertainment on Waitangi Day. The performance include the waiata (meaning songs), the haka (a ceremonial Māori dance typically performed in a group), and the poi (a traditional dance often performed by Maori women using the poi - Maori word for ball on a string).

Raising of the Flags

It has been a customary practice in New Zealand to raise their flags at dawn for the celebration of Waitangi Day. The people responsible for this activity are members of the Royal New Zealand Navy. The flags raised include the New Zealand Flag, the Union Flag (national flag of UK), and the White Ensign (sometimes called St George’s Ensign). These flags are raised at the Waitangi flagstaff, the location where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed. After the conclusion of holiday’s celebration, these flags are lowered down by the navy in a traditional ceremony.

Awards and Citizenship Ceremony

A special citizenship ceremony is oftentimes observed in New Zealand during the holiday’s celebration. This ceremony is typically held at the Government House in Auckland, where attendees would take an oath and pledge of loyalty towards the country. The attendees may come from different parts of New Zealand since this is a special citizenship ceremony organized just for this day. Aside from this, awards are also held on Waitangi Day. Since 2014, the Board of the New Zealand Society of Authors has been announcing the Waitangi Day Literary Honours award on the same day of the holiday’s observance. This prestigious award is only given to one or very few New Zealand writers, which is why it has become one of the highlights of the day’s celebration.

Other Common Activities

Since Waitangi Day is centered on the Maori customs, some localities across New Zealand also take advantage of the day by organizing events which give focus on the importance of the Maori culture. The public is encouraged to attend these events in order to have a firsthand experience on the Maori culture, which is considered as the central point of New Zealand's identity. In addition, enjoying the day at the beach is also typical on this day. Waitangi Day is observed in February and is during the country’s summer months (December – February). Therefore, this is the reason why many people are also seen spending the holiday at the beaches, together with their families and friends.