Waitangi Day (6 February) always seemed to be mired in controversy when I lived in New Zealand. Has anything changed? Are lots of protestors still expected at the treaty ground?
For those of us who are totally clueless–what’s Waitangi Day?
Waitangi day is supposed to celebrate the signing of the treaty of waitangi, which gave the commonwealth control of NZ, in exchange for blankets, guns, other assorted goodies the native people of NZ did not have. It is always steeped in controversey as most of the moari people of NZ feel they were ripped off. The usual array of spitting, flag burning, war chanting, and general riotous behaviour can be expected this year.
Waitangi Day commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, on 6 February 1840, between the British Crown and the Maori chiefs of New Zealand.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=350
looks like the usual fun and games will ensue .