Feb 1-8/16: Nelson (Waitangi Day)

February 6th was Waitangi Day, and that was decidedly the highlight of the  week.  So this will be a wee bit of a history lesson. February 6th was also the Chinese New Year, and Bob Marley's birthday.

Waitangi Day is New Zealand's birthday, the day 176 years ago, in 1840, when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by the Britsh Crown  and about 500 Maori chiefs. New Zealand  then became a British  colony, and the Maori British subjects. In theory the treaty was supposed  to protect Maoris and their land but this quickly came into dispute. Only in 1970 was a tribunal formed to resolve breaches of the treaty.

 Waitangi Day was celebrated on February 8 this year (creating a long weekend) and in Nelson the celebrations took place  at the annual Kai Festival. Kai means food in Maori so that tells  you something about the nature of the festivities.

The festival took place at Founders Park  (just a few minutes from me) and the neighbouring Maori Whakatu Marae. A marae is the focal point of a Maori community, the courtyard in front  of the meeting house.

Marae in front of the meeting

house (wharenui in Maori)

The day started with greetings and speeches  from local  public figures. The introductions  took place largely in Maori. The crowd - and it was large - lined up for the traditional Maori greeting, the hongi, touching  of foreheads and noses.  Didn't get any pictures  of this!! I did get one of the lesson that followed this however; pakeha (non-maori) being taught how to do the haka, the ancient war dance which is now performed by the All Blacks. Every sound and movement has a meaning.

Haka lesson

Although  this was New Zealand's Day, it was shared with festivities for the Chinese New Year, and food from around the world.

Apparently the first chinese

 dragon in Nelson!