New Zealand Day Submission
SUBMISSION to the JUSTICE and ELECTORAL SELECT COMMITTEE considering the NEW ZEALAND DAY BILL By the TREATY RELATIONSHIPS GROUP of the RELIGIOUS SOCIETY of FRIENDS (Quakers) of Aotearoa New Zealand - Te Haahi Tuuhauwiri
Kia ora koutou This Submission has been developed from the responses by Quakers (Friends) at a gathering held over the weekend of 22 to 24 July 2005 in Whanganui. The purpose of this annual meeting is to consider how we are moved by the Spirit to go forward on our bi-cultural journey, to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and to work peacefully for greater social justice for the peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The New Zealand Day Bill
There are sentiments in the Preamble to the Bill with which we agree; the growing diversity and multi-cultural character of our society is to be celebrated.
Also the provision in cl 3 stating that the observance of 6 February as a public holiday is linked with our national identity and both are appropriately commemorated on the same day; we are a Treaty people:
"We recognise the Treaty of Waitangi /Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a living document fundamental to the life of this nation, and we commit ourselves to the spirit of partnership which it embodies..." Epistle of Yearly Meeting of Aotearoa New Zealand 1988-89
Friends do not wish to see the day when we as a nation commemorate the Treaty signing changed, either by changing the name of the day, as proposed in cl 4, or by “Monday-izing” the commemoration, as provided for in cl 5.
The reasons given by Friends are:
a) Waitangi Day is a significant day for Maori, and will remain so, whatever Parliament does.
We suspect the thinking behind this Bill is a desire to avoid issues which need to be addressed, however unwelcome. The Crown has acted in the past, and continues to act in various ways in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi; as a consequence, the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament are likely to continue to face demonstrations at Marae on Waitangi Day. Action is needed to repair the relationship with hapu and iwi; changing the name of Waitangi Day is disrespectful and not consistent with the Treaty partnership.
b) Waitangi Day is a bi-cultural celebration. Our impression is that the media tends to focus on any confrontations that occur around the event. In fact, for many people Waitangi Day is a positive bi-cultural experience, with many of us spending time at the open days on Marae around the country and at local community celebrations. Our desire is to celebrate, as well as commemorate the signing of the Treaty/Te Tiriti o Waitangi. "The building of a just partnership between Pakeha and Maori lays a foundation for relationships with diverse ethnic groups in this country." Epistle of Yearly Meeting of Aotearoa New Zealand 1988-89
We encourage your Committee to recommend a national holiday at a different time in the year, on which to celebrate the multi-cultural diversity of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand.
In summary, our submission is to retain the current arrangements provided for in the Waitangi Day Act 1976.