On 6th February 1840, The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in James Busby’s house at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands making New Zealand a part of the British Empire, guaranteed Maori people rights to their land and also the rights of British subjects.
Prior to 1934, celebration of New Zealand’s founding as a colony was on January 29, the date on which William Hobson arrived in the Bay of Islands. The New Zealand Day Act
1973 was passed and from 1974 onwards, Waitangi Day is also celebrated as New Zealand Day but Maori felt the name debased the Treaty of Waitangi. Therefore, from 1975 onwards, 6th February is known as Waitangi Day in New Zealand.
1973 was passed and from 1974 onwards, Waitangi Day is also celebrated as New Zealand Day but Maori felt the name debased the Treaty of Waitangi. Therefore, from 1975 onwards, 6th February is known as Waitangi Day in New Zealand.
Niue is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, about 2,400 km northeast of New Zealand with land area of 260 square km and 1,400 inhabitants who are mostly Polynesians. Niue is self governing but is in free association with New Zealand and all Niueans are New Zealand citizens with Queen Elizabeth II as Niue’s head of state. Niue became the first WiFi nation in 2003 in which free wireless internet access is provided throughout the country by The Internet Users Society-Niue.
Niue also commemorates Waitangi Day on 6 February.
Tokelau consists of 3 tropical coral atolls located northwest of Cook Islands with a combined land area of 10 square km and a population of about 1,400. Tokelau is designated a non self governing territory by the United Nations General Assembly.
Under the protection of the United Kingdom by an Order in Council in 1877, claimed jurisdiction over all unclaimed Pacific Islands. Commander C.F. Oldham of HMS Egeria landed on each of these atolls in 1889 and raised the Union Flag, declaring Tokelau a British Protectorate. Tokelauans became recognized as British subjects in 1920.
In 1926, the British government transferred Tokelau to New Zealand administration, abolishing the islands’ chiefdoms.
Tokelau too commemorates Waitangi Day on 6 February.
www.kuantan4u.com wishes all from New Zealand, Niue and Tokelau a very Happy Waitangi Day!